Balochistan: Identity of six out of 10 bodies found after Kalat operation has been ascertained

Ten mutilated bodies of unarmed Baloch civilians were found in Narmuk area of Kalat on Sunday where Pakistani military have been conducting offensive operations from past four days.

According to details a spokesperson of the Baloch Liberation Army, Meerak Baloch, said that there were sign of inhuman torture and bullet wounds on the bodies of ten people found from Narmuk and surrounding areas which illustrates that they were killed under-custody.

Mr Baloch talking to NNI (International News Network) said that six bodies have been identified whereas the identity of the four still could not be ascertained because of brutal torture and mutilation of their faces.

The identified bodies have been named as that of a shopkeeper Sharif Lehri and his son Bahawal from Narmuk, two labourer Taj Mohammad and Dur Khan Lehri and Hameedullah Marri also resident of Narmuk. Another shopkeeper Sher Ahmad Lehri from Takht area of Narmuk is also among the victims whose bodies were found on Sunday, said Meerak Baloch.

He said four bodies could not be identified yet but it suspected that they could be the bodies of previously abducted Baloch as well because the Pakistan army in a change of tactic has started to kill enforced-disappeared Baloch in staged encounters.

The BLA spokesperson also criticised the international community and Human Rights Organisation for their ‘criminal silence’ on state atrocities in Balochistan.

He said, “When Baloch [fighters] defend their people and respond to state violence, then Human Rights Organisations despite knowing the facts become part of state propaganda.

“We have made it clear time and again that we reserve the right to defend our people.”

Meanwhile Baloch social media activists and local Balochistan media soruces reported that more than 30 people including one woman and two children have been killed in Pakistan military operations in Espilinji, Narmuk, Johan, Boi and other adjoining areas in past four days.

Separately, Pakistani forces abducted at least 20 people during search operations in Hazar Ganji and Satellite Town area of Quetta.

Pakistani forces have also arrested another Baloch shopkeeper from Noshki during a raid on his bookshop. The local Levis sources claimed to have seized ‘inflammatory’ books and videos from his shop. However, it was no explanation was given on the content of the books and videos.

Baloch pro-freedom leaders and parties say that Pakistani forces have abducted more than 20,000 Baloch people since the beginning of the new phase of Baloch-Pakistan conflict in early 2000. More than 1700 Baloch have reportedly been killed under-custody as part of Pakistan’s kill and dump policy in Balochistan.

Lately, Pakistan forces have started to kill Baloch Missing Persons in their custody and dump their bodies after operations claiming that they were killed in encounters against Pakistani forces.