Balochistan: Ten Baloch civilians killed in military operations in different areas, several abducted

Pakistan Frontier Corps (FC) and military carried out simultaneous joints operations in different areas of Balochistan on Thursday. At least 10 civilian have reportedly been killed due indiscriminate firing by gunship helicopters whereas several others have been arrested and taken to undisclosed locations.

According to details Pakistani forces conducted unprovoked military offensives in Kalat, Mastung, panjgur and Boi, Narmuk, Johan, Espilinji and Delband areas of Balochistan.

An FC spokesperson confirmed to media sources that at least 400 personnel backed by gunship helicopters took part in operations that killed at least ten people who the FC described as ‘militants’.

However, Baloch local sources and Baloch social media activists say that all the killed during Thursday’s operations were unarmed civilians.

They also said that the number of casualties may increase because the fighting continued all day and exact number casualties and abducted people could not be confirmed due lack of communication and military siege in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, Baloch Liberation Front confirmed in a statement that at least three of its members including a local commander were killed in a gun battle against Pakistan forced in the Tasp area of Panjgur District on Thursday night.

The slain were identified as Commander Asim Baloch, Shah Jehan Baloch and Noshad Baloch. BLF’s Gwahraam Baloch paid tributes to its comrades and said that they will always be remembered because of their dedication and bravery.

Separately, the Baloch Liberation Army spokesperson in a statement to media said that on Thursday Pakistani forces back with gunship helicopters attacked one of their camps in Nagaho Dombak area and tried to capture the camp but Baloch fighters retaliated and forced Pakistani forces to back off.

The BLA spokesperson Meerak Baloch said after suffering heavy loses and defeat at the hands of Baloch fighters, Pakistan forces started indiscriminate bombing on civilian population and there has been reports of casualties. However, due to lack of access to areas the exact number of casualties could not be confirmed so far.

He said that the possibility of dumping the bodies of missing persons during these operations cannot be ruled out because in several previous operations Pakistani forces dumped the bodies of enforced-dispread Baloch and claimed to have killed them in firefight.

Mr Baloch also said that fighters from BLA killed two spies of Pakistani security agencies near Degree College on Saryab Road area of Quetta on Thursday. He warned that Pakistani security forces collaborators will not be spared.

Also on Thursday unknown armed men attacked two coal mines in Shahrag area of Balochistan and burnt millions of Rupees worth machineries and equipment. Two coal-miners have also been abducted in this incident. No group have claimed responsibility for the attack until filing of this report.

Meanwhile three people including a Union Council Chairman Mr Naseer Ahmad, a Levis official Ali Ahmad and a worker of health department Mr Abdul Rasheed have been abducted from Ormara area of Balochistan.

In another incident of abductions plain clothed persons abducted Allah Dad Marri from Killi Qasim Khan area of Dalbandin, Balochistan.

According to family sources Allah Dad has been abducted from the house of Haji Wali where he was staying with his son Faheem Marri Baloch. The armed men later released his son but took him away with them.

Faheem has reportedly said that his father was beaten up on the sport, blindfolded and taken away in a car.

His family said that he was abducted in 2006 as well but later the High Court has released him. They also said that he was not affiliated with any political parties or armed groups.

Balochistan has been in the grip of Pakistan security forces violent attacks and human rights violations since the ‘illegal occupation’ of Balochistan in 1948.

Baloch pro-freedom parties and leaders say that Pakistan carried out five major military operations in Balochistan since the occupation and killed thousands of innocent people in each of these operations.

The Baloch-Pakistan conflict accelerated from 2001 onward when former military dictator general Pervez Musharraf came into power though a military coup in Pakistan.

Soon after coming into power Musharraf declared war on Baloch people and ordered bombing of several civilians areas in Balochistan killing innocent people including women and children.

Musharraf is currently facing the murder case of Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti who was killed in a military operation on 24 August, 2006 in Trathani area of Kahan, Balochistan.

Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP), a Baloch human rights organisation striving against enforced-disappearances say that Pakistan forces have abducted and disappeared at least 20,000 people since the beginning of the new phase of Baloch war of independence in 20001.

Pakistan recently intensified military actions across Balochistan after the announcement of so called ‘National Action Plan’ and signing new treaties with China. Thousands of Baloch have been forcibly evicted from their houses in Hoshab, Tubar, Gawadar and Mastung area in the name of development and road works.