CPEC Under Fire: Separatist and Jihadist Attacks Escalate in Pakistan

Baloch Insurgency and Regional Strife Threaten China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

The ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) faces escalating threats from Baloch separatists and jihadist groups, with recent attacks highlighting severe security vulnerabilities and deepening regional tensions.

Separatist Campaign Intensifies

Baloch separatist movements, notably the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), have significantly ramped up their campaign against CPEC projects. The BLA’s intensified actions include Operation Dara-e-Bolan in Mach, Balochistan, on January 29, 2024, and a series of coordinated strikes in March 2025. A particularly high-profile incident was the hijacking of the Jaffar Express train on March 11, 2025, which resulted in 59 fatalities and hundreds taken hostage.

These attacks target not only Pakistani infrastructure but also Chinese nationals, underscoring the project’s security challenges. On July 14, 2021, nine Chinese workers at the Dasu Hydropower Project were killed by Baloch militants. The signing of six new agreements in 2023 to advance CPEC’s second phase appears to have further galvanized separatist groups, leading to subsequent attacks on Chinese workers, including another incident at the Dasu Dam.

Security Lapses and Diplomatic Fallout

The ongoing attacks raise serious questions about the effectiveness of security measures protecting CPEC sites and personnel. Investigations following the March 2024 Dasu attack revealed that Chinese firms, such as China’s Gezhouba Group Company, had violated standard operating procedures, including the non-use of bulletproof vehicles or bombproof buses. Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, noted that Chinese nationals sometimes resist adhering to security protocols.

In response, Pakistan has formed joint investigation teams, established inquiry committees to bolster security for Chinese citizens, and launched Operation Azm-e-Istehkam to combat militant threats. Following a BLA attack on Chinese engineers in Gwadar in July 2024, China pressed for enhanced security, leading to the implementation of new surveillance systems and counterterrorism units around CPEC installations. Discussions between Chinese and Pakistani officials in August 2024 focused on re-evaluating security, with China reportedly exploring the deployment of private security firms and deepening joint security operations.

CPEC Amidst Regional Instability

The BLA asserts that CPEC projects exploit Balochistan’s resources without benefiting local communities, fueling their separatist agenda. Their recent actions, such as declaring Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Department an “enemy,” have coincided with heightened regional tensions. The Israel–Iran conflict in June 2025 and India–Pakistan clashes in May 2025 have amplified security concerns for CPEC projects in Balochistan.

Concerns have surfaced regarding potential collaboration between Iranian Baloch militants and Pakistani counterparts, spurred by the June 2025 Israel–Iran conflict. Furthermore, tensions between India and Pakistan, following the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, have drawn China’s attention to Balochistan, especially after the BLA expressed solidarity with India. These geopolitical rivalries intensify Beijing’s concerns about CPEC’s long-term viability.

Jihadist Threats and Uyghur Concerns

Beyond Baloch separatists, jihadist organizations such as the Islamic State–Khorasan Province (ISKP), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP) have also targeted CPEC sites, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. These groups are motivated by ideological opposition to China’s influence and its policies toward Muslim Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

Economic and Social Repercussions

Attacks on CPEC infrastructure, including roads, power plants, and the Gwadar port expansion, threaten significant project delays and financial losses. The heightened insecurity deters foreign investment, exacerbates Pakistan’s economic difficulties, and risks inflaming ethnic tensions, potentially leading to broader social unrest.

A 2023 report by the World Bank indicated that poverty in Pakistan’s Balochistan province was around 50%, significantly higher than the national average, highlighting the socioeconomic grievances that can fuel militancy and hinder development.

Conclusion

The escalating militancy in Balochistan presents substantial challenges for Pakistan’s crucial alliance with China. The insurgency exemplifies the diplomatic and developmental hurdles faced by states grappling with internal conflict, where local grievances can corrode political ties and derail economic progress. The situation underscores the complex interplay between national development ambitions, marginalized community concerns, and broader geopolitical rivalries.