Writer: Qahar Baloch
When the current wave of insurgency in Balochistan is pinpointed, it is impossible to prolong the discussion without mentioning one of the prominent figures of the Baloch Nationalist Resistance: Shaheed Nisar Siapad, alias Meeral Jan. A national asset of the Baloch people, Nisar Siapad was born in the house of Abdul Wahid Siapad in Sargurdan, Kharan, in 1990.
He began his early education at Sargurdan Primary School, Kharan, and later continued at High School Kharan in 2007 after completing his primary education. During his school days, rampant military operations in Balochistan were at their peak. This reality compelled him to participate in student politics to challenge state barbarism through political campaigning. Simultaneously, he was inclined toward spreading the flames of Baloch resistance against colonial powers through literary tools.
After his political journey, when he turned toward militancy, he demonstrated remarkable potential on the ground as an operational commander. He deeply felt the pain and sorrow of his brothers the people of Rasko who were living under deteriorating conditions in Iran, struggling merely to earn food for their families. He persistently conveyed messages urging them to join the movement, utilizing the Rasko mountains as a Baloch guerrilla camp.
This piece of writing is a humble effort to highlight the immortal soul of Shaheed Nisar Siapad, alias Meeral Jan.
Conspicuously, most guerrilla leaders like Shaheed Nisar Siapad understood the value of political activism and foresightedness in nurturing the cause of the national liberation movement. In the same way, he actively stepped into politics to develop and strengthen the master narrative of nationalism and to unmask the notorious face of the Pakistani military apparatus, which has been deeply involved in perpetrating Baloch ethnic cleansing since its creation in 1947 under British imperialism in South Asia.
According to a close source, “Shaheed Nisar Siapad joined BSO Azad in 2007 while studying at High School Kharan. He was elected Vice President of BSO Azad Uttal Zone during 2009–2010 while enrolled as a student at Lasbela University of Marine Sciences (LUMS). In 2015, he was given the responsibility of Vice President of the Baloch National Movement in the Rakshan Region.”
Indefatigably, he worked day and night to mobilize and organize youth against state domination in Balochistan. He spread the party’s message across the Rakshan region, particularly in Rasko, his birthplace. According to another source, “He played a courageous role in ensuring the political visits and campaigns of Shaheed Dr. Manan Baloch in Kharan as well as in the Rasko belt.”
Despite strict state surveillance, he and his comrades went door to door in Kharan, striving to persuade the Baloch people to join the resistance movement for a brighter future for coming generations. Moreover, he initiated open discussions about the Baloch movement within his close circles. As a result of his successful political campaigning, Fidaee Shaheed Sadam Siapad, Shaheed Mujahid Siapad, Shaheed Nazar Mohamed Siapad, Shaheed Ghulam Raza Siapad, and hundreds of other Sarmachars became part of the Baloch national war against Punjabi hegemony.
Observing his commitment and honesty, numerous youths from Kharan particularly Rasko joined the resistance movement against Punjabi occupation. Reportedly, he was arrested by Kharan police in 2010 while preparing to commemorate Yousaf Aziz Magsi Day in Kharan. However, detention and torture did not weaken his determination against cruelty and injustice.
Thus, he devoted all his energy and skills to political struggle, organizing the native population against the enemy. His political mobilization remains a symbol for youth to build and sustain a homegrown movement against state barbarism.
