Balochistan : News, Discussions & Updates

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Nov 30, 2017
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Pakistan nabs 11 freedom fighters from Balochistan and brands them as terrorists

Pakistani security forces on Sunday arrested 11 militants during intelligence based operations in the country's Balochistan province and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition, an official said.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were carried out in various parts of the province by paramilitary troops, frontier corps, police and intelligence agencies. Together they apprehended 11 members of the proscribed Balochistan Republican Army.

The suspects were nabbed from the Sanni Shoran area in Sibi. The security forces also recovered arms and ammunition during intelligence-based operations (IBO) in Dera Bugti and Dukki districts of the province.

In another operation, four improvised explosive devices were recovered and later defused in Qila Saifullah district of the province, said the ISPR.

The operations were conducted as part of the ongoing military offensive, Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, launched across the country in February this year against the "latent threat of terrorism."

Earlier in the day, security forces and intelligence agencies foiled a major terror bid in Kohlu district in the province and recovered a huge cache of weapons concealed in a secret hideout.

11 militants nabbed in Pakistan anti-terror operations
 
KALAT, Balochistan – The crisis in Balochistan is escalating into a full-fledge “Baloch War of Independence” in Pakistani-occupied Balochistan due to the oppressive policies of the Pakistani military dictatorship of General Pervez Musharraf. The Punjabi-dominated Pakistani armed forces have launched ethnic cleansing in Balochistan against the ethnic Baloch people; they are systematically kidnapping, imprisoning and murdering Baloch nationals by the thousands.

The Baloch are resenting this Punjabi invasion and oppression, and retaliating with full vengeance. While defending themselves, the Baloch view all Muslim Punjabis in Balochistan as collaborators of the Pakistani occupying forces (which is a fair assessment regarding the role played by the majority of Punjabis in Balochistan), and henceforth, they are considered the enemies of the Baloch people.

In defense of Balochistan in this “Baloch War of Independence”, GOB (Exile) has instructed all Baloch nationals to consider any employee of the Government of Pakistan in occupied Balochistan as an enemy soldier no matter what their ethnicity (including Baloch loyalists) and engage in battle with them unless they surrender and are taken as prisoner of war. Since, the majority of the Pakistani government employees in Balochistan are Punjabis most of them are not required to wear any government-issued uniform, which may cause confusion for the Baloch soldier to differentiate government employees (enemy soldiers) from non-government employed civilians.

To minimize collateral damage and avoid civilian casualties, GOB (Exile) has issued the following Proclamation for all ethnic Punjabi Muslims in Balochistan to immediately leave Balochistan for the sake of their own safety. Due to the escalating ethnic tension created between the oppressed Baloch people and the arrogant Punjabi-dominated Government of Pakistan, the likelihood of any innocent ethnic Punjabi getting killed or injured will be increased significantly as the “Baloch War of Independence” progresses.

Source : Baloch Freedom Movement
 
Will approach India for Balochistan's freedom: Baloch leader

Read more at:
//economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/57331874.cms

LONDON: One of the key voices demanding Balochistan's freedom has said that he would approach friends like India to seek help for their cause. Amir Ahmed Suleman Daud, officially known as His Highness the Khan of Kalat, welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in favour of Balochistan during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort last year. "India is one of the powers of region, the biggest democracy in the world. The Prime Minister's [Modi's] was the only voice we heard in a long time coming out of the neighbourhood and appreciated the intervention. We know we have got a friend," Daud told PTI at a media briefing in London yesterday. Pakistan had criticised Modi for mentioning the people of Balochistan in his address, seen as indirect support to the Balochistan freedom struggle. "In the last few days, people of Balochistan, Gilgit, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have thanked me, have expressed gratitude, and expressed good wishes for me," Modi had said, in a significant policy shift on the region.

Daud, who has been living in exile in Wales in the UK for the last few years, indicated that he plans to approach India and other friendly countries like the US to seek help for the cause of Balochistan's independence. "We are confident we will get help from a lot of friends, especially from the West and India. We are happy the Republicans are in power in the US; we have lots of friends in the US Congress. Maybe also China can become a friend. We would like to say to them that they are coming through the wrong actor in this game [Pakistan]," he added. Earlier on Thursday, Daud addressed a seminar entitled 'Balochistan Re-visited' within the British Parliament complex, organised by the UK-based Democracy Forum, during which he accused Pakistan of "colonising" the sovereign state of Kalat. "Until August 1947, all treaties state clearly Kalat Balochistan's position as independent and sovereign. Why we lost our independence was the result of a change in British policy and geo-politics," he claimed. Daud claims that Kalat remained independent until March 28, 1948, when it merged under duress with Pakistan. He now plans to lobby international organisations, including the United Nations, to "pay the debt to his homeland". "We will approach parliaments of the world and make our issues known. We are an occupied land; we did not accede," he said.
 
https://www.quora.com/Why-does-Balochistan-want-freedom-from-Pakistan

Swaroop Krishnan S, Pakistan : Our Sister Nation Removed From India at Birth by Jinnah and Nehru

Baloch struggle for freedom is a result of many components ranging from historical factors to contemporary developments. Some of the reasons why Balochistan want freedom from Pakistan are discussed below

Historical Reasons

Historically Balochistan was a free nation under supremacy of British crown. Founder of Pakistani state was a lawyer of the rulers of Balochistan. On 1947 Balochistan became independent from British. A stand still agreement was signed between Pakistan and Balochistan. But in 1948 Pakistan sent its army and annexed Balochistan by force. This is perceived as a betrayal by many. This has created resentment against Pakistan and its rulers among Balochs.

Ethnocultural Differences

Balochistan has nothing in common with Pakistan, culture wise. Baloch mainly identifies themselves with the Central Asian cultures. Even food, festivals, language and traditions are different from that of the Punjabi dominated Pakistani culture. In many ways Indus river plays the role of a cultural divide. Pakistan under a predominantly military rule did not try to accept and assimilate this culture to its own . In other ways there has been many instances where by they tried to destroy Baloch culture. Forcing them to study a foreign language, Urdu , is only one of many such instances.

Islamabad’s Economic Subjugation

Balochistan is one of the most resource rich regions in Pakistan. But Islamabad has refused to share this revenue with its rightful owners, the Balochs. This is in clear violation of Pakistani constitution’s Article: 161 Natural gas and hydro-electric power. Lack of control over any of its revenue generation resources (natural gas and minerals) and a very low tax base makes Balochistan a deficit income state ,even when its contribution to federal coffer is hefty. This forces Balochistan to depend on federal “aids” for meeting over 75% of it day-to-day expenses. Even Baloch’s participation in Gwadar project is curtailed by total control by Federal government. This has resulted in less development in the region, loss of political rights and aspirations and subsequent resentment among the masses.

Political High-Handedness of Islamabad

Balochistan has lost its right to self determination long time back. Many people contest this by saying that Balochistan has an elected government. But the reality is that this government is a puppet of the leaders in Islamabad. The elections are done in the presence of Pakistani military. In the name of “selective use of force” Islamabad has eliminated most of its political rivals and activists, terming them as foreign agents. Murder of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and his family, who was an ex Chief minister of Balochistan, in a military operation is only one such example. Read more about political situation in Balochistan at Swaroop Krishnan S's answer to Should India reject the democratically elected government in Baluchistan?

Lost Voices of Balochs

Balochistan has 44% of Pakistan’s total territory. But Balochs are only 5% of the total population. This makes them a minority in Pakistan. The total representation of Balochistan in National Assembly is only 17 out of 342. Thus Balochs have lost their voice in any legislations and are forced to live under the laws made for them by some Punjabis sitting in Islamabad.

Altered Demographics

Pashtun refugee influx from Afghanistan has altered the demographics of the province. Even government jobs are handed over to Punjabi youth due to lack of skilled workers. In Gwadar port the construction works are handled by Chinese engineers and workers from outside. A new township for workers are created near the old one in Gwadar which segregate Balochs from the outsiders. The new town has more facilities compared to the old town. Even the land surrounding Gwadar is acquired and sold to outsiders by corrupt Federal government officials. Thus Balochs became minority in their own homeland.

Neglected Education Sector

Educational sector of Balochistan is in shambles. Islamabad has never cared to create infrastructure for the education of Balochs. This resulted in many unskilled people in the region. So most of the high paying government jobs are given to educated Punjabi youth. This resulted in Balochs living in their own land as outliers devoid of any opportunities. This is another reason why Balochistan want to separate from Pakistan.

Ethnic Cleansing of Minorities

Ethnic cleansing is not unheard of in Pakistan. But this has spread to Balochistan also in the recent years. Just like in other parts of Pakistan , religious fundamentalist forces aiming at the homogenisation of the society has conducted targeted killings of minorities. Many international agencies have unearthed the role of Pakistan’s military-intelligence complex in these acts. This has created a sense of fear in the minds of Baloch people. Also Baloch’s don’t want their secular and tolerant culture to be corrupted further by the influence of fundamentalists from Pakistan. This also motivates them to want freedom from Pakistan.

Presence of Military

Pakistan started its rule over Balochistan with its military. Pakistan uses its military to maintain law and order in the region. This has created a sense of alienation. The brutalities committed by military on the citizens of Balochistan has crossed all the thresholds. These human rights violations even resulted in Pakistan getting reprimanded by the international community. After the advent of Chinese, Pakistan’s military has worked as henchmen who are payed to protect Chinese interests in Baloch soil.


Balochistan military operations

Humans Without Rights

Pakistan’s military occupation of Balochistan started in 1948. Since then there have been 5 waves of struggles. Most of these were brutally suppressed by Pakistani Military. This led to many human rights violations. Many international agencies have time and again reported about the gross mishandling of the human rights at the hands of Pakistani Military on the behest of government in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. But till now Pakistan has failed to resolve the matters democratically using political tools. Such level of inhuman treatment meted out on the citizens can be another reason why Balochs ask for freedom from Pakistan’s occupation.

Conclusion

Baloch freedom struggle is a result of the indignation of people towards the Pakistani establishment. If Pakistan continues to neglect the dreams and aspirations of Balochs, it may not be able to avoid its impending Balkanisation. If there are no visible changes on the ground, Baloch freedom struggle will be the swan song of Pakistan as we know it.
 
1970s operation in Balochistan

The 1970s operation in Balochistan was a five-year military conflict in Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan, between the Pakistan Army and Baloch separatists and tribesmen that lasted from 1973 to 1978.

The operation began in 1973 shortly after then-Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto dismissed the elected provincial government of Balochistan, on the pretext that arms had been discovered in the Iraqi Embassyostensibly for Baloch rebels. The ensuing protest against the dismissal of the duly elected government also led to calls for Balochistan's secession, met by Bhutto's ordering the Pakistan Army into the province. Akbar Khan Bugti, who would be killed in a later operation in 2006, served as provincial governor during the early stages of the conflict. The operation itself was led by General Tikka Khan and provided military support by Iran, against the resistance of some 50,000 Baloch fighters coordinated by Baloch sardars, or tribal chiefs, that most notably included Khair Bakhsh Marri and Ataullah Mengal.

Sporadic clashes were intermittent throughout the conflict, with hostilities climaxing in 1974 with drawn-out battles. The Bhutto regime was overthrown by General Zia-ul-Haq on 5 July 1977, and martial law was imposed. A general amnesty was declared by military governor Rahimuddin Khan. All army action was ceased by 1978, and development and educational policies were refocused on to assuage the province.

The conflict took the lives of 3,300 Pakistani troops, 5,300 Baloch, and thousands of civilians. This period forms a pivotal chapter in the longstanding Balochistan conflict, and is often cited as creating deep divisions between Balochistan and Islamabad that persist to the current day.

Calls for independence

The 1971 Indo-Pakistani War had ended with the defeat of Pakistan at the hands of India. East Pakistan declared itself to be independent. It became a new sovereign state called Bangladesh, to be ruled by Bengali leader Shaikh Mujibur Rahman. Mujib had been a major personality in the events that had led to the war, having called for greater provincial autonomy and rights for what was then East Pakistan, only to be met with utter disapproval by the then military ruler Yahya Khan and his West Pakistan-based political opponent Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Despite Mujib's having won the federal elections of 1970, both Yahya and Bhutto refused to let Mujib form the central government. The ensuing unrest gradually deteriorated into civil war, and ultimately the secession of Bangladesh after the India-Pakistan War of 1971. India also played a large part in the independence of Bangladesh by arming and financing the separatist group Mukti Bahini which rebelled against the Pakistani State after the injustice done to the then East Pakistan. Most importantly, India sent its troops into East Pakistan to aid the Bengali separatists in suppressing the Pakistan army.

This greatly influenced Balochistan's leading political party, the National Awami Party. Led by ethnic nationalists and feudal leaders such as Sardar Ataullah Mengaland Khan Wali Khan, the party dominated the province due to the large amount of individual political influence its leaders held. Emboldened by the secession of Bangladesh, the party demanded greater autonomy from Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who had become the new President of Pakistan following his predecessor Yahya Khan's resignation in December 1971, in return for a consensual agreement on Bhutto's Pakistan Constitution of 1973. Bhutto, however, refused to negotiate on any terms that might have involved a reduction in his powers, with chief minister Ataullah Mengal in Quetta and Mufti Mahmud in Peshawar. The already significant civil unrestnow turned volatile as tensions between the NAP and Bhutto erupted.

Launch of Bhutto's military operation

The ethno-separatist rebellion of Balochistan of the 1970s, the most threatening civil disorder to Pakistan since Bangladesh's secession, now began. Surveying the political instability, Bhutto's central government sacked two provincial governments within six months, arrested the two chief ministers, two governors and forty-four MNAs and MPAs, obtained an order from the Supreme Court banning the NAP and charged everyone with high treason to be tried by a specially constituted Hyderabad Tribunal of handpicked judges. Following the alleged discovery of Iraqi arms in Islamabad in February 1973, Bhutto dissolved the Balochistan Provincial Assembly and infuriated Balochistan's political oligarchs.

In time, the nationalist insurgency, which had been steadily gathering steam, now exploded into action, with widespread civil disobedience and armed uprisings. Bhutto now sent in the army to maintain order and crush the insurgency. This essentially pitted the ethno-separatists against the central government, and army. As casualties rose, the insurgency became a full-fledged armed struggle against the Pakistan Army. The sporadic fighting between the insurgency and the army started in 1973 with the largest confrontation taking place in September 1974 when around 15,000 ethno-separatists fought the Pakistani Army and the Air Force. Sensing the seriousness of the conflict, Pakistan Navy dispatched its logistic units under the command of Vice-Admiral Patrick Simpson—Commander of the Southern Naval Command—provided its logistic and intelligence support to Army and Air Force from the Sea. The Navy had applied an effective naval blockade in Balochistan's water and stopped the illegal arm trade and aid to Baloch rebel groups. In a separate naval operations led by navy, the navy had seized and destroyed vessels that were trying to aid the Baloch rebel groups. The army suffered more than 3,000 casualties in the fight while the rebels lost 5,000 people as of 1977.

Iranian aid of operation

It was after visiting Iran in 1973 that President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto dissolved Balochistan's provincial government. When the operation was begun, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran and Bhutto ally, feared a spread of the greater ethnic resistance in Iran. The Imperial Iranian Army began providing Pakistan with military hardware and financial support. Among Iran's contribution were 30 Huey cobra attack helicopters and $200 million in aid. The Pakistan government declared its belief in covert Indian intervention just like the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. However, India claimed that it was fearful of further balkanisation of the subcontinent after Bangladesh and stated it had not interfered. After three years of fighting the separatists were running out of ammunition and so withdrew by 1976.

End of action

Although major fighting had broken down, ideological schisms caused splinter groups to form and steadily gain momentum. On 5 July 1977, the Bhutto government was overthrown by General Zia-ul-Haq and martial law was imposed. With the civil disobedience in Balochistan remaining widespread, the military brought in Lieutenant General Rahimuddin Khan as governor under martial law. Rahimuddin declared a general amnesty for belligerents willing to give up arms and oversaw military withdrawal. Ataullah Mengal and Khair Bakhsh Marri, sardars that had been active in the conflict, were isolated by Rahimuddin from provincial affairs, and left the province for foreign countries. Marri later said the Baloch independence movement was 'at a virtual standstill', and Marri tribesmen granted amnesty laid down their arms. Akbar Bugti, having sided with Tikka Khan and now being marginalised by Rahimuddin Khan, went into self-imposed seclusion. Civil disobedience movements and anti-government protests died down.

Rahimuddin's tenure also ushered in sustained development. Following the Soviet invasion of neighbouring Afghanistan in 1979, Rahimuddin used the resultant foreign attention on Balochistan by introducing an externally financed development programme for the area. Forty million dollars (USD) were committed to the programme by the end of 1987, by which time Rahimuddin had resigned. He expedited the regulation of Pakistan Petroleum Limited, the exploration company charged with the Sui gas field. He consolidated the then-contentious integration of Gwadar into Balochistan, which had earlier been notified as a district in 1977. Addressing the province's literacy rate, the lowest in the country for both males and females, he administered the freeing up of resources towards education, created girls' incentive programs, and had several girls' schools built in the Dera Bugti District. As part of his infrastructure schemes, he also forced his way in extending electricity to vast areas with subsoil water.

Tensions have resurfaced in the province with the Pakistan Army being involved in attacks against ethnic Baloch separatists groups like Balochistan Liberation Army, Baloch Liberation front and Baloch Republican army. Attempted uprisings have taken place as recently as 2006.

Source : 1970s operation in Balochistan - Wikipedia
 
3 labourers killed in Balochistan's Harnai district

Three labourers were killed and another injured when suspected militants opened fire on them in Balochistan's Harnai district on Tuesday evening, Levies officials said.

The firing incident took place in Naks area of Harnai district, the officials said, adding that the victims were repairing the railway track in Harnai when they were targeted by the miscreants.(same term was used for Bangladeshi freedom fighters!)
 
WBO launches #FreeBalochistan human rights campaign in New York City

Free Balochistan campaign launches in New York City
Human rights adverts on taxis by World Baloch Organisation

New York City – 20 December 2017

The World Baloch Organisation (WBO) today launched its #FreeBalochistan human rights awareness campaign in New York City, after a successful month of implementing the campaign in London, UK.

The New York campaign has kicked-off with more than 100 taxis carrying adverts with the slogan: “#Free Balochistan from human rights abuses by Pakistan”.

“Balochistan was annexed by Pakistan against the people’s will in 1948 and has been under military occupation ever since, with mass kidnappings, torture and executions by the Pakistan army. Pakistan wants to keep this hidden. We are doing this campaign to expose these abuses,” said Bhawal Mengal, spokesperson for the World Baloch Organisation (WBO), which has organised the advertisements.

“Thousands of Baloch people have been murdered or disappeared by Pakistani security forces. The killings are happening right now, the American weapons that were given to Pakistan to use against the Taliban are being diverted and misused to attack the secular Baloch people, including F-16 fighter jets and Cobra attack helicopters.

“The campaign’s goal is to raise awareness among the American public about the ethnic persecution and gross human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Balochistan and support the Baloch people’s quest for peace and freedom. We want the US to cut off all military aid to Pakistan and hold it accountable for its crimes in Balochistan,” he said.

In London, the campaign received positive feedback from the public, including from the Baloch diaspora in the United Kingdom. Despite repeated attempts by the Pakistani government to shut down the #FreeBalochistan advertising campaign in London, the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled against Pakistan’s bid to censor the adverts; acknowledging their legitimate, humanitarian and peaceful character.

“Balochistan comprises half the land mass of the current borders of Pakistan. It has fabulous oil, gas and mineral wealth which is being exploited by Pakistan, while the Baloch people live in abject poverty. To keep control, the government in Islamabad is resorting to terror tactics and is giving free rein to religious extremists operate in the region. It is using them as a proxy third force against the nationalist movement, which has a long tradition of democracy and secularism,” added Bhawal Mengal.

“Pakistan’s iron-fisted rule in Balochistan is so brutal that it will not allow journalists, human rights monitors and aid agencies to enter the region. These adverts are much needed to defend the human rights of the Baloch people and to expose the atrocities of the Pakistani military and intelligence agencies.

“We want to alert US public, media and politicians to Pakistan’s secret, dirty war in Balochistan. This war of terror involves the indiscriminate aerial bombardment of Baloch villages, and the kidnapping, torture and assassination by the Pakistan army and intelligence agencies of anyone who peacefully opposes the military occupation and human rights abuses by Islamabad.

“Balochistan was previously a British protectorate that was granted independence in 1947. It was forcefully annexed by Pakistan in 1948 and has been militarily occupied ever since. The people of Balochistan have been denied the right to self-determination, contrary to the UN Charter.

“The World Baloch Organisation is a peaceful, lawful lobby against Pakistan’s war crimes and human rights abuses in Balochistan,” said Mr Mengal.



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Surge in violent activities in Balochistan is alarming: analysts

source: Surge in violent activities in Balochistan is alarming: analysts

QUETTA: Quetta, the provincial capital of Pakistan’s restive province Balochistan, was once again in the news worldwide after two suicide bombers stormed a crowded church on Sunday afternoon. Nine Christians were killed in the attack, and scores were injured.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack through its mouthpiece Amaq News Agency but did not provide any evidence that supported the claim.

Military experts in Pakistan believe there had been a surge in terror activities in Balochistan lately but say there is little or no evidence that establishes IS’ existence in the province.

The so-called IS has a prominent presence in Afghanistan, which shares a long and porous border with Balochistan.

“When we talk about Balochistan, do not forget its geographical complications. It’s a remote area with less population. It shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan, which makes infiltration of terrorists easy,” Hasan Askari Rizvi, a prominent Lahore-based defence analyst, told VOA.

“The breakaway Taliban groups in the region are reuniting and reorganising and using the name of Islamic State. They are targeting minorities and using IS’ name to get worldwide attention,” Askari further added.

Shazada Zulfiqar, a Quetta-based senior journalist, holds a different view and believes IS has, through its sympathizers and supporters, managed to make roots in Balochistan.

“Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (leJ) and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA), the Pakistani Taliban faction, has an established presence in this province. These groups provide manpower to each other and also to the Islamic State,” Zulfiqar told VOA’s Urdu service.

“Although the government claims IS has no existence here, it certainly has roots through its affiliates and sympathisers. They are supported by the local people too, unfortunately,” Zulfiqar added.

VIOLENCE CONCERNS ANALYSTS:

Despite statistics showing a considerable drop in overall terrorism in Pakistan in the recent past, the surge in violent activities in Balochistan alarms some analysts.

“The latest attack on Quetta’s Bethel Memorial Methodist Church underlines the danger of terrorism and also how these terror groups have support, facilitators and sympathizers in Balochistan,” Askari said.

After the church attack in Quetta, the provincial government pledged again to curb militancy and enhance its capabilities to fight terrorism effectively.

“Balochistan is in a state of war,” Sanaullah Zehri, Balochistan’s chief minister told the local media after paying a visit to the Christians’ graveyard in Quetta. “We are executing plans to strengthen the police and security departments to ensure safety of our citizens, which is our top most priority.”

But to some critics, these official statements mean little unless the government takes effective action against active terrorist groups in the province.

“The government says they have eliminated terror groups from the province but only after such incidents they realise these terror groups have a solid presence. People are still joining them, they’ve resources and established networks,” Zulfiqar told VOA. “Who’s responsible?”

SECURITY UPGRADE:

Pakistan’s government, on the other hand, says it is wary of the chaotic and precarious situation of Balochistan and is increasing security presence in the region.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal told VOA in May that a force of 9,000 security personnel under Pakistan’s Army has been deployed in Balochistan to provide security.

Pakistan also accuses Afghanistan and India of spreading terror and chaos in Balochistan. Pakistan maintains India especially wants to sabotage the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Kabul and New Delhi deny these charges.

Balochistan is the heart of the $50 billion Chinese investment through China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which will connect China’s Xinjiang region to Gwadar’s deep-water seaport in Balochistan with a huge rail, road, communication and energy network.

Brig. Farooq Ahmad, the former spokesman of Pakistan’s Army media wing in Quetta, shares these concerns.

“Quetta is like a war zone where terrorists from Afghanistan and (the) Indian spy agency RAW are involved in violent activities. This is a plan to destroy the CPEC plan,” Ahmad said.

LARGEST PROVINCE:

In terms of area, Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province. It has abundant natural resources such as oil, gold, gas and copper reserves, but lacks basic infrastructure and necessities of life.

It is also facing an insurgency from Baloch separatists and nationalists who are fighting to liberate Balochistan from Pakistan.

Apart from Baloch nationalists, many terrorist groups operate in the region, including Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, an anti-Shi’ite militant group, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Jamaat-ul-Ahraar (JuA).

Unless the government provides a sense of belonging and job opportunities to the long-deprived Baloch residents, there is little hope the situation will change in Balochistan, analysts say.
 
Baloch leader hopes for Bangladesh-like liberation for Balochistan from Pakistan

New Delhi [India], December 17 (ANI): A prominent Baloch leader on Saturday wished Bangladesh on their 'Victory Day' and hoped that liberation struggle of Balochistan from Pakistan's "tyranny" would also result in independence one day.

"Happy Victory Day to the people of Bangladesh. They won their freedom from the tyrant state of Pakistan through brave struggle and sacrifices. The Baloch nation longs for the same victory and we hope to achieve it soon," President of Baloch Republican Party Brahumdagh Bugti tweeted.

India and Bangladesh celebrate December 16 as 'Vijay Diwas' and Victory Day, respectively, every year to mark their military's victory over Pakistan in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, which eventually led to the liberation of Bangladesh.

Many in Pakistan's province of Balochistan have also been demanding independence citing years of oppressive rule.

In addition to this, enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings are allegedly used as covert tools by Pakistani authorities to suppress their struggle. (ANI)

source : Baloch leader hopes for Bangladesh-like liberation for Balochistan from Pakistan
 
Balochistan: 8 dead, dozens injured as militants attack church during Sunday prayers

At least eight people were killed and 44 injured in a suicide attack during Sunday prayers at the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church in Balochistan’s Quetta city, Geo News reported.

Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti confirmed the attack at the church, which is located in a high-security area of the city, Pakistan Todayreported. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

Bugti told Geo News that the militants had weapons. “It seems they wanted to take hostages inside the church. The police and guards present stopped this from happening,” he said. More than 200 people were at the church for the service when the attack took place.

In a post on Twitter, Bugti said the security forces took 16 minutes to complete the operation against the attackers. “Four suicide attackers struck during church service,” Bugti said, according to Pakistan Today. One of the attackers detonated a suicide vest inside the church while security forces shot dead a second attacker near the church entrance, he said.

At least two attackers escaped the scene, police official Abdur Razaq Cheema told Reuters.

Provincial police chief Moazzam Jah said the government had put the Bethel Memorial Methodist Church on high alert, as Christian places of worship are often targeted by Islamist extremist ahead of Christmas.

Emergency has been imposed in all hospitals across Quetta to deal with the number of people injured. “All doctors and paramedic staff shall be vigilant and use all available resources to give maximum healthcare facilities to the injured ones,” an official statement said, according to The Express Tribune.

Quetta, the capital of the Balochistan province, has been the target of several attacks by separatists in the last few months. In November, a suicide attack targeting paramilitary soldiers killed at least four people and wounded 15.

source: Balochistan: 8 dead, dozens injured as militants attack church during Sunday prayers
 
Balochistan: Pakistani forces vehicle attacked in Rakhni, BLA owns the attack

QUETTA: A patrolling vehicle of Pakistan FC was attacked near Rakhni on Thursday the Baloch Liberation army spokesperson informed news sources.

According to details, the FC vehicle was going from Pailawagh to Rakhni when the Baloch fighters attacked it in Charkha region.

The BLA’s official spokesperson, Azad Baloch, said the exchange of firing between Pakistani FC and BLA fighters continued for half an hour in which several Pakistan officials have been killed and wounded.

‘Our organisation [BLA] accepts responsibility for the attack,’ he added.

He vowed that they will continue will activities until the national liberation of Balochistan.

source : Balochistan: Pakistani forces vehicle attacked in Rakhni, BLA owns the attack | Balochwarna News
 
Balochistan: Seven including women and children killed in Dera Bugti shooting and explosion

QUETTA: Armed men attacked a house in Dera Bugti on Thursday night killing a man, his two wives and two daughters. Other relatives of the same man were killed in an IED attack.

According to detail unknown armed men attacked the house of Jajjar Bugti in Toba area of Zain Koh in Dera Bugti and killed six members of a family including women and children.

Jajjar is reportedly a relative of Wadera Ismael Khan Bugti who has recently surrendered before Pakistani forces.

Daily Balochistan Express reported that ‘Wadera Ismael Khan Bugti’s vehicle was targeted in a landmine blast while he was coming to Toba after hearing the shooting. As a result of the blast, one gunman of Ismael Khan Bugti was killed while three others injured.’

Meanwhile, a previously little-known organisation ‘The Baloch Liberation Tigers (BLT)’ in a statement to media owned the attack.

The BLT’s spokesperson Meeran Baloch informed media outlets in Balochistan that they have attacked the residence Phadi Bugti which was being used as a base by a ‘local death squad’. The BTL said it also blew up a vehicle of the same group.

“As a result of the attack seven people including Khawand Bakhsh, Jajjar and Kalo Bugti have died whereas Phadi Bugti and three others have been wounded,” said Meeran Baloch of BLT.

The spokesperson, however, did not clarify if any women and children were killed and whether they were deliberately targeted, or it was a collateral damage.

The BLT in their statement claimed that Phadi Bugti was directly working for Pakistani army and have been involved in the abduction of Baloch women from Zain Koh and Uch areas of Dera Bugti.

Even though Little is known about the Baloch Liberation Tigers (BLT) but if it is a genuine Baloch pro-freedom organisation, independent observers believe such actions which involve killing Baloch women and children will discredit the entire Baloch struggle on the national and international level.

So far, the pro-freedom Baloch political parties and leaders have not reacted to this attack and it is yet to be seen whether they will condemn the killing of women and children in Dera Bugti or not.

However, the Foreign affairs committee organiser of Baloch Student Organisation – Azad, Niaz Zehri, from London United Kingdom tweeted against the Dera Bugti incident.

“I strongly condemn the killing of innocent children and women in Dera Bugti. Killing of innocent civilians are unjustified,’ Mr Zehri tweeted.

source : Balochistan: Seven including women and children killed in Dera Bugti shooting and explosion | Balochwarna News
 
Balochistan: Pakistani forces abducted nine including two children in Dasht

QUETTA: The Pakistan regular and other security forces have started fresh offensives in Dasht area of district Kech Balochistan on Saturday and abducted at least nine people including two children.

According to the details, the Pakistani forces raided Jattani Bazar and Shay Seji areas of Dasht and looted houses, harassed and beaten up women and children during the raid.

The abducted people have been named 12-year-old Abdul son of Ghulam Jan, 13-year-old Zahoor son of Suleiman, Cheraag son of Hassan, Ejaz son of Ghulam Habib, Nasir son of Bilal, Naem son of Haider, Waheed son of Ghulam, Bilal son of Ghafoor and Akram son of Omaitan.

Sources reported that new contingents of Pakistan army have arrived in Balnegawar in large numbers and Pakistan forces have also sealed the entry and exit routes to Dasht.

The residents of the area fear that Pakistani army is going intensify its offensives in the region

source : Balochistan: Pakistani forces abducted nine including two children in Dasht | Balochwarna News
 
Balochistan: Two electricity transmission line blown up, BRA claims the attack

QUETTA: Unknown persons blew up two 220 KV power transmission lines in Mangoli area of district Naseerabad Balochistan on Monday.

According to sources, unknown men had attached improvise explosive devices (IED) with the pylons, that went off and destroyed the electricity supply line to Shikarpur.

Pakistani law enforcement agency and the bomb disposal squad reach to the site and cordoned off the area.

Meanwhile, the Baloch Republican Army (BRA) has accepted responsibility for blowing up the electric pylons. The BRA’s spokesperson Mr Sarbaz Baloch also appealed Baloch public to stay away from government installations, building and security forces check posts.

source : Balochistan: Two electricity transmission line blown up, BRA claims the attack | Balochwarna News
 
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.

source : Balochistan: Military offensive in Dasht continue for fifth consecutive day, 20 abducted from Mand | Balochwarna News
 
Balochistan: Pakistan army offensives continue in Makuran, two youth abducted

QUETTA: Pakistani security forces have expended the scoop of their offensives in different areas of Makuran region of Balochistan.

According to details, a convoy of Pakistani forces has besieged Koh Mazanband an area between Mand and Dasht area of Turbat and started search operations.

Local sources have reported that fresh contingents of Pakistani forces arrived in Koh Mazanband and surrounded the area from two sides. People from nearby areas reported hearing explosions and gunshots.

Pakistani forces have sealed exit and entry points of many adjoining areas leaving people stranded in the middle of a war like situation.

Separately, on Monday morning Pakistani forces also conducted offensives in many localities of Parome area of Panjgur Balochistan including Imam Bazar, Shoncho Kahn, Kadan Bazar, Bandken Bazar, Moheem Bazar and Shah Murad Bazar.

Forces have harassed women and children and looted valuable of the inhabitant. Also, the Pakistani security forces have gathered the entire population of the above-mentioned localities and check their National Identity Cards.

Meanwhile, Pakistan forces abducted two Baloch youth from Turbat Balochistan. The victims have been named as Sajid son of Dost Mohammad and Jameel son of Barkat Baloch.

source : Balochistan: Pakistan army offensives continue in Makuran, two youth abducted | Balochwarna News
 
Balochistan: Media ban forces poor newspaper sellers to sleep empty stomach

QUETTA: A newsagent in Khuzdar city of Balochistan made a passionate appeal from parties in Balochistan conflict to lift the ban on newspapers because it is badly affecting the lives of poor newspaper seller.

Mr Mohammad Siddique Moosiani on Tuesday said, “We cannot even buy milk for our children. We have been doing this job (selling newspapers) from past twenty years and we have no other sources of income. This issue should be resolved immediately otherwise our children will die of the hanger.”

In his press statement, he said that in Khuzdar city there are around 40 Newsvendors and all of whom were now unemployed. “Some of them have left nothing to eat and they forced to sleep empty stomach due to this boycott of newspapers. We were hoping that this issue will soon be resolved but it been around two months now and nobody seems interested in this matter.”

He appeals from all stakeholder of Balochistan conflict to have mercy on them [poor newspaper sellers) and allow to them have their jobs back. He said, otherwise, their children will starve to death because they cannot afford to feed them anymore.

In October 2017 the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) started an anti-media campaign and announced to boycott newspapers in Balochistan. They allege that Newspapers are being used as a tool as ‘propaganda tool by Pakistan government and military’.

The other two main armed resistance groups the Baloch Liberation Army and the Baloch Republican Army, however, did not back the media boycott.

In early December the Baloch Liberation Army in a statement said they do support attacks against news outlets and the anti-media campaign.

The BLA in their statement said, “Journalists in Balochistan despite immense pressure from Pakistani state forces have refused to conspire against Baloch struggle and refrained from working for the state against Baloch freedom struggle. Balochistan is one of the dangerous places in the world for journalists because they have been under continuous pressure and threatened with dire consequences by Pakistani state apparatus.

“Pakistani state army has killed many Baloch journalists from fulfilling their journalistic responsibilities. Some of whom include Javid Nasir Rind, Siddique Eddo, Ilyas Nazar, Lala Hameed, Haji Abdul Razzaq, Munir Shakir and several others.”

The BLA also said in their statement that they understand journalists in Balochistan are under extreme pressure, but we expect the journalists to be honest to their profession and report facts so that public becomes aware of the truth. The Baloch Liberation Army said their ideal was not Pakistani state as they were struggling for a free and democratic Balochistan hence they will not use their energy against journalists and other innocent professionals in Balochistan.

However, the newspapers’ boycott by BLF continues despite that many poor Baloch newsvendors become jobless. Many Balochistan based local journalists have also expressed their anger against the media boycott and criticised the Baloch armed group for forcing newspapers and press clubs to shut down.

source : Balochistan: Media ban forces poor newspaper sellers to sleep empty stomach | Balochwarna News
 
The Collective Punishment in Balochistan

“No protected person may be punished for an offence he or she has not personally committed. Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited.

Pillage is prohibited.

Reprisals against protected persons and their property are prohibited,”ARTICLE 33 of Geneva Convention 1949.

The collective punishment of Baloch people by Pakistani forces has begun with the occupation of Balochistan in 1948 when Pakistani forces attacked Kalat and detained the Khan of Kalat along with his family. later the Pakistani army did same with the leader of Balochistan’s first guerrilla movement Prince Abdul Karim Khan and followed the same formula with Nawab Norouz Khan, Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri, Nawab Akbar Bugti and other Baloch activists and leaders who raised voice for freedom of Balochistan have faced Pakistani state brutalities as form of collective punishment.

Late American author Selig S. Harrison described the collective punishment of Baloch families by Pakistan army in his book ‘In Afghanistan’s shadow’: “In 1974, many of the men stayed in the hills to fight with the guerrillas, but the women, children, and older men streamed down from the mountains with their flocks and set up their black tents in a sprawling, fifty-square mile area. Chamalang, they thought, would be a haven from the incessant bombing and strafing attacks in the highlands. As the fighting gradually reached a stalemate, however, the army decided to take advantage of this concentration of Marri families as means of luring the guerrillas down from the hills. The Pakistani officers calculated-correctly-that attacks on the tent villages would compel guerrillas to come out in the open in defense of their families.”
It has been the norm of Pakistan army that whenever they could not fight or could not reach the Baloch fighters, they unleashed their violence against Baloch civilians including women, children and elderly people. In January 2000 when a Balochistan High Court judge was killed, Pakistan army and other security forces not only nominated Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri and his sons, but they also arrested hundreds of Marri Baloch and as well as divers, neighbours and political associates of Nawab Marri and implicated them all in one man’s murder case.

The Pakistani forces then continued to terrorise the resident of New Kahan Quetta for several years to come. In fact, New Kahan is still under the radar of Pakistan army and whenever anything happens in the city of Quetta, the Pakistani forces raid New Kahan and arrested innocent residents to complete their formalities.

Pakistani forces also demolished and looted the houses of Baloch National leader Hyrbyair Marri and late Balach Marri in Quetta. They occupied Nawab Bugti palace in Dera Bugti and killed relatives of many Baloch activists and leaders in collective punishment i.e. sister of and niece of Brahumdagh Bugti were killed in Karachi only to send a message to Brahumdagh that if you’re out of our reach we can still hurt you by harming your loved ones.

In past few years, Pakistani forces have started to abducted women and children of pro-freedom Baloch activists and leaders in an effort to coerce them to either surrender or come in open so that Pakistani forces can either arrest them or kill them. May of Baloch women and children were abducted from district Bolan Balochistan and detained in military camps in Bolan and Sibbi. The military demanded that their menfolk should abandon the struggle for national liberation and turn themselves in so that their women and children will be freed. In Awaran and Maskay regions of Balochistan, Pakistani forces abducted two apolitical sisters of Dr Allah Nazar Baloch along with their kids and other 50 women. One of the sisters of Dr Baloch and her children have reportedly been released but his second sister and other Baloch women and still being held by Pakistan army at a military camp in Mashaky.

On 13 December 2017 Pakistan forces in Dera Bugti’s Sui Tehsil bulldozed the house of Wadera Nabi Bakhsh Madwani a member of Baloch Republican Party. According to BRP sources, the military is planning to use the place as a training centre for their local death squads. Previously, the Pakistani forces also destroyed the houses of Switzerland-based Sher Mohammad Bugti BRP’s central spokesman and his relatives and replaced them with military colonies and quarters. A few days ago, Pakistani forces also demolished the houses of Akhtar Nadeem Baloch, a fighter of Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) and his other relatives in Gwarjak area of Mashkay Balochistan.

The Baloch human rights activists abroad and pro-freedom political parties in Balochistan have termed such actions of Pakistan as collective punishment which is prohibited in UN conventions and is regarded as a war crime under international laws.

What does Pakistan want to achieve by collective punishment of Baloch civilians and relative of pro-freedom Baloch activists?

The following excerpt from Dr Naseer Dashti’s latest book ‘The Baloch conflict with Iran and Pakistan: Aspects of a national liberation struggle’ explains it well:

The draconian policy of collective punishment adopted by Pakistani security agencies is being carried out with impunity in a 21st-century world. With any resistance activity against security forces, the nearby villages would be raided, and mass punishment given to the civilian population. Frequent raids on villages, burning of the house and forcing inhabitants to vacate their dwellings are examples of the collective and arbitrary measures in the protracted conflict.

Pakistan is following the old colonial way of dealing with dissent in Balochistan. Whole communities were regularly targeted by the security agencies after an attack on the security or government installation by the Baloch resistance fighters. In several districts of the Eastern Balochistan, the Pakistani authorities forced thousands of people to leave their homes. Worst affected are Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Awaran and Kech districts where several settlements and villages are now ghost areas. According to the Baloch nationalist sources, one of the objectives of this policy is to clear the area of the Baloch population from where proposed ‘China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’ is established.

The aim of such barbaric actions appears to be intimidating the Baloch population into docile submission. It is also seeking to break the morale of the masses who are wholeheartedly behind the Baloch national resistance. This policy of collective punishment is in the line with the thinking of the security establishment of Pakistan that collective suffering is bound to isolate and neutralize the militant elements in the community. Once isolated, it would be easy for the security forces to deal with them. The measure being taken in the execution of their policy of collective punishment is aimed at destroying the sinews that link the Baloch masses with the national resistance, and national institutions affiliated with the national liberation struggle and its leadership.

source : The Collective Punishment in Balochistan | Balochwarna News
 
More embarrassment for Pak; #FreeBalochistan billboards go up in Times Square

The World Baloch Organisation (WBO) has launched billboards carrying the slogan "#FreeBalochistan from human rights abuses by Pakistan" across the iconic Times Square in the New York City.

The billboards up in the heart of New York will remain there as the city celebrates New Year's Eve, an iconic event witnessed by millions across the United States and the world. The billboards aim at highlighting Pakistan's kidnappings, tort, re and massacres in occupied Balochistan and the Baloch people’s right to self-determination.

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(Source: @Himanshu_311086 on Twitter)

"Our aim is to reach out to the American public and make them aware of the worsening situation in Balochistan, which has long been ignored by the international community mainly due to Pakistan's desperate efforts to stop the truth from reaching the international community. Through media reportage of the Times Square New Years Eve celebrations, we hope to get our human rights message across to the American people and the rest of the civilized world," said the chief organiser of the WBO, Mir Javed Mengal.​
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(Source: @Himanshu_311086 on Twitter)

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(Source: @Himanshu_311086 on Twitter)

Pakistan has not allowed the international press, human rights monitors and aid agencies to enter Balochistan. The adverts seek to raise awareness about the plight of the secular Baloch people who have suffered gross human rights abuses by the Pakistani authorities for several decades.

The billboard adverts are part of the ongoing human rights campaign in the city, which kicked-off with more than 100 taxis carrying similar slogans.

READ: WBO Launches Mobile Awareness Campaign In London
READ: Baloch Parties Hold Anti-Pakistan Protest In London

The awareness campaign in New York City comes after a successful month of implementing the campaign in London, UK.

(With inputs from ANI)

More embarrassment for Pak; #FreeBalochistan billboards go up in Times Square - Republic World
 
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