From East Pakistan to Balochistan: Unraveling India’s Playbook of Separatism ( Taymur Malik)
The 1971 disintegration of East Pakistan, which led to the birth of Bangladesh, is blamed solely on West Pakistan’s political and military actions. However, internal dynamics within East Pakistan, especially the actions and affiliations of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, played a crucial role in this historical event. India is now running the same script in Balochistan through the BLA, BLF and BYC by funding these groups. They are promoting figures like Mahrang Baloch as the face of separatism, just as they did with Mujib in East Pakistan.
Early Political Engagements and Ideological Divergences
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s political journey began in the early 1940s, but his ideological rift with Pakistan became evident in 1948 when he opposed Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah when Jinnah made Urdu the National Language of Pakistan. Jinnah advocated for Urdu as the National language to unite people, Mujib pushed on Bengali, Mujib prioritised regional ethnicity over national unity. This early confrontation sow the seed for his later push for separation.
The Agartala Conspiracy Case
The most crucial moment in Mujib’s career was the Agartala Conspiracy Case of 1968, where he with 34 others were accused of conspiring with India to break East Pakistan away from the West Pakistan. The case revealed that Mujib and his associates had allegedly met Indian military officials in Agartala (Tripura) to seek support for an armed revolt against West Pakistan’s Leadership. However the case was withdrawn in 1969 following mass protests which was organised by Awami League, but this case exposed Mujib’s deep ties with India and his willingness to betray Pakistan.
The 1971 War and Mujib’s Incarceration
The tensions escalated between East Pakistan and West Pakistan after the elections when West Pakistan’s establishment and Political Leadership refused to accept Mujib as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The West Pakistan’s stance was rightful as how can they make someone who is in favour of India the Prime Minister of Pakistan as it was a security risk. Pakistan Army launched the Operation Searchlight on March 25, 1971, targeting Bengali nationalists and insurgents. The Security Forces of West Pakistan arrested Mujib and transported him to West Pakistan, where he remained imprisoned throughout the conflict. However, his previous groundwork with India’s spy agency (R&AW) and Indian Army paved the way for the separation.
Post-Independence Governance and India’s Influence
After Bangladesh’s independence, Mujib immediately aligned the new state policies with India. The Indo-Bangladesh Treaty of 1972 was framed as a cooperation pact, which was widely seen in Bangladesh as a tool for Indian dominance. Many referred to it as a “Subjugation Treaty”, arguing that the treaty undermined the sovereignty of Bangladesh.
Mujib formed the Rakkhi Bahini, a paramilitary force that replaced the Mukti Bahini in many aspects. This force was backed by R&AW to remove political opposition and to sideline middle-rank officers who fought in the Liberation War. Reports suggested that R&AW had growing influence in Bangladesh’s military affairs which further alienated the nationalist factions.
Assassination and Fallout
By 1975, Bangladesh was in economic chaos due to famine, corruption and mismanagement. Mujib’s move to impose a one-party system (BAKSAL) further isolated the political and military circles. Meanwhile, India’s unilateral construction of the Farakka Barrage (1975) to divert Ganges water worsened economic conditions which sparked massive protests across Bangladesh
On August 15, 1975, Mujib was assassinated in a military coup with his family. After his death the tables turned, as the succeeding leadership distanced Bangladesh from India’s influence.
India’s Role in Balochistan: A Repeat of 1971?
The same blueprint is unfolding in Balochistan, where India is funding armed groups like the BLA, BLF and BYC to destabilise Pakistan. Just like Mujib was projected as the leader of Bengali nationalism while having secret ties with India, Mahrang Baloch has been made the face of Baloch separatism, who gained international attention while allegedly getting support from Indian Agencies.
India’s role in training and supporting the Mukti Bahini in 1971 is well documented and Pakistan has now accused India of deploying similar tactics in Balochistan through cognitive warfare, proxy networks and disinformation campaigns. The recent Jaffar Express attack (March 2025) and a very well organised online propaganda on that day against the Security Forces of Pakistan has exposed the real faces who are fuelling separatist sentiments.
Conclusion: Lessons from 1971
History tells that separatist movements, when backed by external forces, lead towards prolong instability in the region. The events of 1971 explains that how internal divisions, exploited by foreign interests, can result in disastrous consequences.
Pakistan needs to recognise the cognitive and hybrid warfare strategies being used in Balochistan and should make a plan to counter them effectively. By ensuring economic development and by exposing foreign counties who are creating this instability Pakistan can prevent another tragedy like East Pakistan in 1971.
Taymur Malik