Balochistan: Humanitarian Crisis Amid Ongoing Military Offensives In Zehri: BYC

SHAAL (QUETTA): The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has expressed concerns over the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the Zehri region of Khuzdar, Balochistan, as latest military offensives by Pakistani security forces enters its third week.

In a strongly worded statement, the BYC said the Pakistani military was deliberately targeting civilians during the ongoing campaign. According to the committee, multiple reports from the ground confirm the deaths of ordinary residents, including two elderly women, due to shelling and aerial bombardment. Hundreds of families have reportedly been displaced, with many now living in fear and without basic necessities.

The committee stated that the region has been placed under a complete siege, with all entry and exit routes sealed off. The supply of food, drinking water, and medicine has been blocked, hospitals are reportedly without doctors or essential medical services, and communication networks, including the internet, have been shut down.

A strict curfew was reportedly imposed last night. During house raids, there are disturbing reports of women, children, and elderly individuals being subjected to physical violence.

“This is not a series of isolated incidents, this is a pattern of systematic human rights violations and acts that amount to war crimes,” said the BYC.

The statement also highlighted the destruction of homes, standing crops, water sources, and solar power systems, which has pushed local communities to the brink of survival. The loss of vital infrastructure, combined with restricted access to aid and services, has exacerbated the already dire conditions in the area.

Adding to the concerns is a total media blackout in Zehri. Journalists and humanitarian organisations are reportedly being denied access to the region, raising fears that the government is attempting to conceal the full extent of the damage and human suffering.

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee has issued a set of urgent demands:

• Immediate restoration of electricity, food supplies, medical services, and communication infrastructure
• An end to all attacks on civilians and their properties
• Free access to media, human rights observers, and humanitarian aid organizations
• Transparent investigations into alleged war crimes and human rights violations, with those responsible held accountable

The BYC concluded its statement by calling on the United Nations, international human rights organizations, and humanitarian agencies to intervene immediately.

“Zehri is in the midst of an emergency,” the group stated. “We urge the international community to take urgent action to protect civilians, ensure humanitarian access, and hold those responsible for these atrocities accountable.”

As of now, there has been no official response from Pakistani authorities regarding Zehri town siege and civilians casualties. Due to the media blackout and restricted access to the region, independent verification of the claims remains difficult.