For more than two decades, Pakistan has been grappling with internal security challenges along its western borders, particularly in the province of Balochistan. During this period, terrorist groups operating in these regions have gone through more than three cycles of near elimination followed by resurgence. The security situation is once again deteriorating, particularly in Balochistan, largely because of India's financial and technical support and Afghanistan's physical and moral support to the so-called separatists. These groups have resumed attacks on innocent civilians, security forces' posts, army convoys and public and administrative infrastructure, including health facilities and development project sites.

While a firm and consistent policy of eliminating these terrorists is being vigorously pursued, and immense sacrifices are being made to ensure the protection of the lives and property of innocent citizens, the fact remains that lasting success in internal security is achieved not merely by eliminating adversaries but by shrinking the pool from which they draw legitimacy, recruits, intelligence and passive support.

Although the geographical vastness of Balochistan, its demographic and psychosocial diversity, the root causes of the insurgency and the varying demands of different separatist groups require a comprehensive and multidimensional response together with a measured application of both political and military instruments of national power, the broad spectrum of actors involved may still be viewed in four categories.

First is the ideological hard core that remains committed regardless of cost. Second are the........

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