Balochistan: Military offensive in Dasht continue for fifth consecutive day, 20 abducted from Mand

QUETTA: Pakistani army continues its ground and air strikes in Dasht Tehsil of district Kech Balochistan from last five days whereas separate raids have been carried in other areas of Balochistan including Turbat, Panjgur, Kharan and Awaran.

According to details, Pakistani forces conducted raids in different areas of Balochistan and abducted several people including five persons from Awaran, two people from Kharan and at least twenty people from Mand region of Turbat Balochistan.

On the other hand, the military offensive in Dasht entered its fifth consecutive day. The Pakistan army, FC and local police are reportedly carrying out joint offensives. The ground forces are backed by gunship helicopters and armed with heavy weapons.

Balochistan local sources reported that Pakistani forces have abducted at least twenty people form ‘Mehr’ town of Mand in district Kech Balochistan. The forces also tortured women and children during their raids and looted valuables including cash and other possessions of the inhabitants.

Separately, Pakistani forces have burned several houses during Dasht offensives including all the houses of a small village called ‘Lalo Dab’.

Sources told Baloch Warna News that people in Lalo Dab are very poor and they lived in huts which the Pakistani forces have set on fire leaving the villagers stranded in the middle of winter.

“A Large number of Pakistani ground forces, military vehicles loaded with heavy weapons continue to pour into the areas already under military siege.

“The arrival of fresh forces has created a sense of fear and panic among the locals. The military continues to expand the scoop of its offensives into other surrounding areas.”

Pakistani forces also carried out offensives in Parome area of Panjgur Balochistan.

Meanwhile, five previously abducted Baloch have been released and returned to their homes. The men were abducted on 16 December 2017 by Pakistani forces during a raid in Shay Seji are of Dasht Balochistan.

The freed men have been named as Abdul son of Ghulam Jan, Zahoor son of Suleman, Cheraag son of Hassan, Naseer son of Jalal Khan and Naem son of Haider. The victims were held in Pakistani military camp in Balnegwar region.

Other victims namely Waheed son of Ghulam Jan, Bilal son of Ghafoor and Akram son of Omaitan who were also abducted on 16 December are still being held by Pakistani forces and have not been released so far.