1973-1977: Bhutto talks tough

The most serious fighting erupted after ZA Bhutto dismissed the Baloch provincial government in February 1973.

• The most serious fighting erupted after ZA Bhutto dismissed the Baloch provincial government in February 1973.

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He said the Balochis were conspiring with the Soviet Union and Iraq to dismember Pakistan and Iran.

Evidence: 300 Soviet sub-machine guns and 48,000 rounds found in the Iraqi defence attache's house. (The arms were actually found in Karachi, and meant for Iranian Baloch).

• Baloch guerillas started ambushing army convoys from April 1973. Bhutto retaliated by sending in the Army and jailing Government Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo, Chief Minister Attaullah Mengal and Marri. The struggle continued for four years.

• At the height of the war, there were over 80,000 Pakistani troops in the province.

By July 1974, guerillas succeeded in cutting off most main roads into Balochistan and blocking coal shipments from Balochistan to Punjab.

• The Air Force was called in; Iran supplied 30 Cobra helicopters (manned by Iranian pilots). A six-day battle in Chamalang in Marri, in September 1974, turned the tide. The Baloch were unable to regain the initiative.

• Several Baloch migrated to Afghanistan. When Zia-ul Haq seized power in July 1977, he freed the jailed leaders and reached a truce ending this phase of the insurgency.