Bolan Offensive: Pakistani forces detain women and children

QUETTA: The Pakistan military started fresh offensives in Balochistan’s Bolan and its surroundings on 31 October is still taking place for the 5th consecutive day. There are also reports that Pakistani forces abducted women and children and several houses of civilian populations to fire.  

According to details, the military launched offensives in Bolan, Kaman, Yakho, Uch Kaman, Gummadi, Darag Pirani, Saaro, and Buzgar four days ago and the aforementioned areas remain under siege. All the exit and entry routes have been blocked for public transport.

Witnesses have reported that Pakistani forces have been landing its soldiers by helicopters in large numbers. The Pakistani forces also reportedly increased the movements of its troops in the mountainous regions of Sibbi, Balochistan.   

Sources also confirmed to BW news that gunship helicopters have been hovering over and shelling the besieged areas.

The military blockade has made life harder for the locals of already remotely populated areas where people either go to Harnai or Sibbi to get rations and daily necessities. The residents are facing food shortages and are not allowed to take the sick to hospitals for treatment.

The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons on Thursday reported that Pakistani forces have detained several people including women and children during the Bolan offensive. However, so far least thirteen (13) Baloch women and children’s identities have been confirmed.

The detained women and children have been named Zargul Marri, Hanifa Marri, Dur Khatun Marri, Mahsu Samalani, Gul Bibi Samalani, Sammo Samalani, Zarbakht Samalani, Bani Samalani, Sameeda Samalani, Farida Samalani, Raji Samalani, Kaleem Samalani son of Rakhiya Samalani and Mehna Samalani wife of abducted Rakhiya who has been missing since past four years.

The VBMP has appealed for the immediate release of the women and children of Samalani tribes from the Bolan area of ​​Balochistan.

The organisation also demanded the government to take notice of the detention of women and children and take them back immediately.

The IVBMP strong condemns Pakistani military’s offensives against civilian population and arrest of Baloch women and children in Bolan, #Balochistan.

We urge the @UN_HRC and @UN_Women @amnesty to take notice of Pakistani forces atrocities against Baloch civilians. pic.twitter.com/vi6uPpNB6m

— Bygwaah (@IVBMP) November 3, 2022

Meanwhile, the International Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (IVBMP) has also strongly condemned the ongoing military offensives against Baloch civilians and urged the UN to take notice of the arrest of Baloch women and children.