Baluchistan, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistan is taking a page from America's counterinsurgency playbook in trying to win the hearts and the minds of those who might otherwise join Taliban militants or Balochistan nationalists against its military. Balochistan province -- Pakistan's largest and one of its most troubled -- is home to a nationalist insurgency and an increasingly violent Taliban presence. The sight of Baloch troops marching in the Pakistani army might have been unimaginable three years ago, but recruits are now training to fight for the army, not against it. More than 3,500 such troops have been recruited since 2007, commanders say.
@highlight
Balochistan province is home to nationalist sentiments and Taliban violence
@highlight
The army is recruiting Baloch residents to join its fighting force
@highlight
Improved living conditions are part of the military's plan to win support
The alienation led to calls for independence -- the @placeholder nationalist movement.