History of Balochistan in Timeline

Balochistan is a historical and arid region in West and South Asia, situated on the Iranian plateau and bordering the Indian Plate and the Arabian Sea. Dominated by deserts and mountains, it is mainly inhabited by the Baloch people. The area's strategic location has made it significant throughout history.

1924: Baloch in the army of Saffarids Amir Khalaf

In 1924, Muir wrote about Baloch being in the army of Saffarids Amir Khalaf and fighting against Mahmud when the Ghaznavids forces invaded Sistan in 1013.

1925: Shustheri's account of Darius III assembling an army

In 1925, Shustheri wrote about Darius III assembling an army at Arbela to counter the invading Greeks. The Baloch forces, commanded by Berzanthis, were part of this army.

1931: Heape's observation on nomadic people

In 1931, Heape observed that nomadic people regard themselves as superior to sedentary or agriculturist due to their occupation making them strong and inured to hardship.

1948: Insurgency in Pakistani Balochistan

In 1948, an insurgency took place in Pakistani Balochistan.

1948: Balochistan insurgency

In 1948, an insurgency was fought by separatist militants in Balochistan.

1948: Brahui Ahmadzai dynasty till 1948

Till 1948, the Khanate of Kalat was ruled over by the Brahui Ahmadzai dynasty.

1958: Insurgency in Pakistani Balochistan

In 1958, an insurgency took place in Pakistani Balochistan.

1958: Balochistan insurgency

In 1958, an insurgency was fought by separatist militants in Balochistan.

1960: Confrontation of Baloch with Ghaznavids

In 1960, Nizam al-Mulk mentioned other occasions were mentioned by the historians of the Ghaznavids era in which the Baloch came into confrontation with the Ghaznavids forces.

1962: Insurgency in Pakistani Balochistan

In 1962, an insurgency took place in Pakistani Balochistan.

1962: Balochistan insurgency

In 1962, an insurgency was fought by separatist militants in Balochistan.

1963: Sebuktegin's suzerainty over Turan and Makuran

In 1963, Bosworth wrote that Turan and Makuran came under the Ghaznavids founder Sebuktegin's suzerainty as early as 976-977 CE.

1973: Insurgency in Pakistani Balochistan

In 1973, an insurgency took place in Pakistani Balochistan.

1973: Balochistan insurgency

In 1973, an insurgency was fought by separatist militants in Balochistan.

1974: Masson's account of attack on Kahan and ambush of British troops

In 1974, Masson wrote about a British contingent under Major Brown attacking Kahan on May 11, 1840. The Mari forces later ambushed a convoy of British troops near Filiji, killing over one hundred.

1974: Creation of Sibi Division

In 1974, the Sibi Division was carved out of Quetta Division and Kalat Division and named after Rani Sewi, the queen of the Sewa dynasty.

1977: Insurgency in Pakistani Balochistan

In 1977, an insurgency took place in Pakistani Balochistan.

1977: Balochistan insurgency

In 1977, an insurgency was fought by separatist militants in Balochistan.

2003: New low-intensity insurgency in Balochistan

In 2003, a new low-intensity insurgency began in Balochistan.

2012: Growth of sectarianism in Iranian Balochistan

Since 2012, separatist fighting in Iranian Balochistan has grown and become more sectarian, with the majority-Sunni Baloch showing a greater degree of Salafist and anti-Shia ideology.

2013: Major earthquakes in Balochistan

In 2013, there were major earthquakes in Balochistan which were the 2013 Balochistan earthquake and 2013 Saravan earthquake.

2019: US declares Baloch Liberation Army a terrorist group

In 2019, the United States declared the Baloch Liberation Army, a separatist militant group, a global terrorist group.

2021: 2021 Balochistan earthquake

In 2021, the 2021 Balochistan earthquake killed dozens of people.

March 2025: Hijacking of Jaffar Express in Balochistan

On March 11, 2025, the Jaffar Express passenger train was hijacked by militants in Balochistan. The militants claimed to have taken over 400 hostages and threatened to execute them if Pakistani forces launched a rescue operation.