Balochistan Devastated by Pakistan Military Operations
The Pakistan Army, in a joint operation with the Frontier Corps, carried out a number of simultaneous full scale military operations in Besima, Kulanch, Pasni, Washuk and Pidrak areas of Balochistan on February 10th. In a pre-dawn surprise attack, occupational state forces commenced an intense bombardment of the impoverished town of Besima. According to emerging reports, State Forces indiscriminately bombarded Besima from gunship helicopters and with heavy artillery in the early morning hours. A number of locals attempted to fight off the invading forces but were overwhelmed by the large scale invasion force armed with sophisticated modern weapons. State Forces reportedly killed at least 15 people including Mohammad Baksh, his wife, daughter and four sons. Among those martyred in the attack were
1. Aslam Baloch s/o Imam Baksh
2. Asmat Baloch s/o Abdul Ghani
3. Qasim Baloch
4. Fazal Baloch s/o Mohammad Baksh,
5. Mohammad Baksh s/o Haji Noor Mohammad
6. Zia-Ul-Rahman Baloch s/o Mohammad Baksh
7. Allah Rahm Baloch s/o Haji Noor Mohammad,
8. Abdul Majeed Baloch s/o Haji Noor Mohammad,
9. Abdul Hameed Baloch s/o Haji Noor Mohammad,
10. A woman Rehana Baloch
11. And Abdul Hameed’s two young children Majid and Siraj Baloch
Meanwhile in Pidrak, Occupational State Forces carried out a series of early morning raids. Numerous rural homes in the Pidrak area were invaded looted and ransacked. During the raids State Forces killed Dr. Guman Baloch, Akbar Murad Baloch, and abducted Rahim s/o Roshan. Concurrently in the nearby Pasni area State Security Forces conducted similar operations invading homes, looting valuables and abducting 7 residents. The abductees were identified as;
1-Master Nazeer s/o Talha
2-Nadil s/o Raza
3-Hasil s/o Ghafoor
4-Dad Bux s/o Doli
5-Zahoor s/o Samad
6-Mayar s/o Qadir Bux
7-Doctor Phullan
Additionally on February 10th in the Kulanch area, State Forces abducted BRP Activist Hanif Baloch s/o Ganjiyan Baloch, Adnan Baloch s/o Hasil Baloch, and Bore s/o Pir Jan Baloch during a series of raids. According to reports, a number of local women & children were sustained injuries after being severely beaten by Security Forces.
Pakistan Security Forces abducted 300 people from the Mashkey area during a massive military operation on February 12th. Emerging reports indicate a huge regiment of Army Fighters stormed villages in the area and began rounding up the local civilians in a massive door to door operation.
On February 6th in the Pakistan Army Forces attacked the Bahot-e-Chaat village in Dash Balochistan. State Forces looted and burned numerous homes in the area. Residents were allegedly detained and subjected to acts of torture during the attack.
A day earlier Occupational State Forces conducted operations in the Mashkey area. Numerous homes in the Parwar district were invaded ransacked and looted of valuables. Two women Bibi Gull and Bibi Zoja were martyred during the attack, a number of women and children were also injured by State Forces. The same day Gulzar was reportedly abducted from the Rendak district by state forces.
On February 1st The Pakistan Army launched a deadly military offensive in Sui, Naseerabad, Zainkoh and surrounding areas. State Forces indiscriminately bombarded the rural villages injuring numerous residents. Among the injured were two women; identified as Nazgul Bugti & her daughter Mahgul Bugti.
In Iranian Occupied Western Balochistan; Activists reported that on February 2nd in the Chahbahar region a regiment of Iranian Security Forces arrived at BelSar city with four Bull-Dozers in the early morning. Iranian Occupational Forces forcefully displaced the impoverished villagers and proceeded to level the village destroying the local homes and mosque. In a matter of hours the 500 year old Baloch farming village, consisting of some 30 families was reduced to little more than a tooled town signboard and some scattered rubble. Elders within the displaced community expressed concerns the Iranian regime is attempting to drive them from their homelands. Community representatives have attempted to reach out to Iranian authorities to register complaints, but have received no response.
Baloch living in Iranian Occupied regions are faced with deprivation of civil infrastructure, clean water, electricity, health care education and employment. As a result the Baloch residents of Western Balochistan are subjected to severe underdevelopment and enforced poverty. According to a report by the Baloch Activists Campaign, at least 3,300 villages in W. Balochistan lacked basic watery supply facilities. The head of the Balochistan Water Supply Company informed that over 500,000 villagers in Balochistan did not have access to clean drinking water. According to the The Statistics Center of Iran, Balochistan was at the absolute bottom of household income. Additionally Western Balochistan has the highest rate of undernourishment in the entire country.
For thousands of years, Nomadic Baloch tribes from all regions of Balochistan freely bartered goods & services with each other in order to facilitate mutual survival in the harsh mountainous regions. Today the Baloch tribes are denied this essential and ancient tradition. The border region is heavily manned by Iranian security forces, hunting for anyone attempting to transport goods, especially fuel, across the border into Pakistan. Many residents of W. Balochistan have been forced to resort to selling fuel across the border in Pakistan to earn a few Rs. Despite the deadly risks posed by Iranian security forces, people are faced with no other option but to venture into the line of fire and risk their lives to earn sufficient money just to provide for their families.
Throughout January, the Pakistan army and their proxy death squads have continued to accelerate their sinister crusade of enforced abductions, extrajudicial executions and military campaigns in Occupied Balochistan. The increasing frequency of target killings and near daily discoveries of mutilated dead bodies dumped throughout the region has become a chilling reality. The Pakistan Army are now engaging in routine excessive military offensives against civilian targets on a near daily basis.
On January 20th reports emerged indicating large numbers of Pakistan soldiers were deployed in the Zain, Loti, Herokh & surrounding areas of Dera Bugti, on January 20th soon afterwards numerous Gunship Helicopters converged in the Sui area. On January 22nd Pakistan Armed Forces invaded the Seghari area of Sui, Dera Bugti. Several homes were burned to the ground during the siege and at least three people have been abducted.
On January 20th Pakistan Armed Forces conducted a series of pre-dawn raids in the Sandam, Atta Mahmad Bazar, and Ladhay Bazar areas of Geshkor, and Awaran Balochistan. Occupational State Forces invaded numerous homes, assaulting the residents including the women & children, and looting valuables. 60 people were abducted during the raids and taken to a nearby military camp.
Local women and children gathered outside the military camp and protested the enforced abductions of their loved ones. The state forces attempted to disperse the crowd of protesters, including the use of live weapon fire; but the protesters remained steadfast in their resolve to recover their abducted loved ones. Refusing to abandon hope, the brave protesters remained at the Army camp for several hours, after which time all 60 detained residents were released. There has been no word of any reparations or compensation for the unlawful detention of civilians, destruction of property or loss of valuables.
According to a BSO Azad spokesman “Pakistan forces are fearful due to the active participation of the general populace in Baloch freedom movement and therefore forces have intensified their atrocities in the length and breadth of Balochistan. But, the unwavering struggle of general population has proved that they would never withdraw from their objective.”
The BSO Spokesman further said that “so far alone in this month, more than 20 Baloch have been killed and injured, while several abducted in recent wave of state terrorism in Hub, Awaran, Jahoo, Mashkay, Dera Bugti, Quetta and Makuran region of Balochistan.”
On January 14th Occupational state forces blockaded and bulldozed the entire Goth Mittha Khan Marri area, a Baloch labor settlement of 60 homes, in Hub city. Without warning occupational state forces stormed the settlement looting valuables, forcefully evicting residents and bulldozing the Baloch settlement. Three residents were abducted during the operation.
Separately in Kohlu, Pakistan forces conducted a series of door to door search operations on January 14th. During the operation state forces ransacked numerous homes in the area, looting valuables, and harassing the residents, including women & children. Among the items confiscated during the raids were flags of Baloch Student Organization and National Movement.
Seven people were abducted by Occupational State Forces in Panjgur in separate incidents on January 12th and 13thIn the Kharan area of Panjgur, two ninth grade students were abducted by State Forces. The abducted students were identified as Ejaz s/o Mubarak & Ali Aur Razzaq s/o Mohammad Saeed. Two more Baloch youth; Nisar and Ehsan were abducted by Pakistan State Death Squads from the Gramkaan area of Panjgur. And in Bazar, Panjgur; Pakistan Military Forces abducted Sakhi Daad, Mirza Baloch and Aslam Baloch. State forces have shifted the abductees to an unspecified location.
Meanwhile In the Gishkur area, of Panjgur, Occupataional State Forces invaded & ransacked the small villages of Rekchahy & Kechy on January 13th. According to reports State Forces looted and damaged numerous homes in the tiny rural villages. Residents including women & children were detained & subjected to acts of torture. 30 residents were allegedly abducted during the raids.
Occupational State Forces conducted a number of violent military operations during the first week of January 2015. On January 5th Pakistan armed forces decimated the tiny village of Gazi Koor, Jahoo. Two children and two women were martyred when Pakistani Fighter Jets and Gunship Helicopters bombarded the rural village. The victims were identified as 7 year old Dary Khan, 8 year old Gaji Haan, Granjan and Lal Bibi.
A few days later in Kolwah Occupational State Forces abducted six people on January 8th. The abductees were identified as Zakeer, Ubaid, Bahot, Emam, Samad, and Sattar. According to reports, State Forces invaded homes, looted valuables, and subjected the resident to acts of torture.
Recent attacks and threats against schools promoting modern education in Balochistan have increased substantially. Countless public and private schools throughout Balochistan have been destroyed or forced to close as result of the state endorsed campaign to deprive the Baloch youth of meaningful education. Teachers and students are regularly threatened, abducted and assassinated. On January 12th an armed gang of terrorists attacked a local primary school in the Killi Wazir Khan area of Daalbandin. According to reports attackers set fire to the building; burning it to the ground. Most recently educators and facilities in the Makran region are being victimized by the state backed gangs of fanatic terrorists.
In response to a recent move by Pakistan authorities to legitimize private death squads in Balochistan, the Baloch National Movement central spokesperson released the following statement on January 23rd.
Central spokespersons of Baloch National Movement said that “the state claims during the recent counter insurgency National Party is in the forefront in Balochistan. Recently, last week in Jhalawan several tribal leaders along with National Party collective made a decision. Together they prepared private forces to counter the insurgency. These private forces were comprised of radical religious Mullahs, murderers and bandits.
They have full support of the Paksitan Frontier Corps, ISI and Army. While in the office of Balochistan Chief Minister; Dr, Malik Baloch and his National Party have been presiding over Balochistan at a time when there are reportedly more than 500 dead bodies discovered during 2014. During CM Dr Malik Baloch, the government has given a free hand to exploit the resources of Balochistan. The Most recently allegations against Dr. Malik involving millions of dollars of corruption is the proof. In Makuran his government is supporting the state extremists whom are implicated in the killing of the Zikri Baloch. Extremists are further pushing the secular Baloch society towards Talibanization while National Party is directly involved in this game. During the earthquake in Awaran Dr. Malik’s government allowed a state extremists NGO "Jammy ul Dawa" to help the victims while refusing to allow the International and local NGO's to help the earth quick victims.
While Pakistan continues to carry out savage military operations, countless dedicated Baloch activists continue to raise awareness of the State atrocities committed in occupied Balochistan. Thanks to dedicated efforts of Baloch activists, the Baloch struggle is beginning to make significant strides on the international stage.
On January 16th a delegation from BRP Germany chapter had a conference with the Secretary General of the international society for Human rights Mr. Karl Hafen in Frankfurt, Germany. BRP Germany chapter headed by chapter representative Ashraf Sher Jan Baloch and Nasrullah Baloch; eloquently conveyed a summary of the Human Rights violations being carried out in occupied Balochistan. Speaking with Mr. Karl Hafen, BRP representative Ashraf Sher Jan Baloch said that “Three Mass graves have been discovered in Totak area of Balochistan; from which at least 179 decomposed dead bodies of Baloch missing persons were recovered last year.” Ashraf further stated that “Pakistani forces with the support of international aids particularly which they receives from the United states and European countries, are being used against innocent Baloch civilians in massive military operations in Balochistan on a daily basis. Baloch political leaders, activists, students, teachers, doctors, intellectuals and people from different walk of life were being abducted and detained without any legal arrest warrant or any convictions, and are being inhumanly tortured and dumped dead in desolate areas. Innumerable Baloch people have been illegally disappeared and 2500 out of which are killed and dumped by Pakistani security forces by now.”
After hearing the testimony of the BRP-Germany delegation, Mr. Karl Hafen acknowledged the human rights abuses in occupied Balochistan and assured the BRP delegation that the International Society for Human Rights would raise their voice against the serious human rights abuses in Balochistan at every international forum possible.
The next day Baloch Republican Party Germany Chapter Held a gather to honor the martyrdom of Baloch activists; BRP Central Committe member Martyr Ahmed Dad Baloch and BNM Central Committee member Martyr Naseer Kamalan Baloch. Both were well known activists who campaigned against the Occupational State’s plunder of Baloch resources through Gwadar. Forrmer BRP Gwadar Zone president Martyr Ahmed Dad Baloch was dragged from a passenger coach by Military Intelligence agents on October 3rd 2010.
Similarly a senior leader of BNM and well known Balochi language poet; was abducted by FC personnel on November 5th of 2010 while travelling from Pasni to Gwadar. The tortured remains of Shaheed Naseer Kamalan and Shaheed Ahmed Dad Baloch were recovered on January 17th 2011 dumped along the side of the Makran coastal highway.
On January 30th Baloch Republican Party activists and Baloch Republican Student Organization also held huge public gatherings in Kech to honor the memory of martyred BRP leader Shaheed Ahmadad Baloch.
On January 31st Baloch Republican Party activists remembered the martyrdom anniversary of BRP Chairman Brahamdagh Bugti’s sister Shaheed Godi Zamur Bibi and her daughter Jana. Zamur Bibi, Jana and their driver were gunned down by State Security Forces in Karachi on January 31st 2012. BRP activists in Dera Bugti, Naseerabad, Sibbi, Turbat, & Punjgor held references in tribute to the Martyred sisters of the nation.
On February 2nd BSO Azad Awaran Zone held public demonstrations to protest the enforced disappearance of BSO-Azad Chairman Zahid Baloch and the rampant human rights abuses in Occupied Balochistan. Protesters urge the international community and human rights organizations to pressure Pakistan to release the illegally detained activists and end their campaign of human rights abuses in Balochistan.
Baloch Human Rights Organization held also protests on February 2nd at the Karachi press club against state barbarism in Occupied Balochistan.
On January 7th Baloch Human Rights Organization (BHRO) held demonstrations at the Karachi Press Club to protest the Army Operations, Enforced Abductions and ruthless Murder of Innocent Baloch in Pasni, Dera Bugti, Awaran, Kulanch, Jahoo, Mashkey, Dasht and other regions of Balochistan.
Last Year, on January 19th 2014; The Occupational State Forces conducted a military operation in the Jahoo Mollazahi town of Awaran. During the attack 5 young Baloch were killed, among them was a factory laborer from Hub returned to his home town to get married.
Soon after the attack; reporter Riaz Sohial visited the town and witnessed the devastation first hand. Riaz Sohail described a desolate scene comprised of burned houses, dead livestock, and bullet riddled buildings.
In a tiny mud hut, Riaz Sohail met with Gulshin, wife-to-be of the martyred factory worker; Nawaz Baloch, where she conveyed her painful story to Riaz Sohail in vivid detail.
According to the report; The bride Gulshin, her groom Nawaz, his brother and cousin were sleeping when they were suddenly awoke to being severely beaten by a squad of Security Forces. The next morning local villagers discovered the bullet riddled remains of 5 young Baloch dumped in the nearby canal. The five young men were uneducated farmers & laborers.
Riaz Sohail reported that among the more than 50 homes he visited, not one single family had any association with political parties; nor did he see any images of freedom fighters, leaders, flags or wall chalking associated with Baloch freedom movements. Despite the total lack of evidence or confirmation, State Forces claimed all five youth were militants.
In their 2015 annual world report, the International Human Rights Organization Human Rights Watch released the following statement regarding the current situation in Balochistan.
“The human rights situation in Balochistan remained abysmal. Despite the May 2013 election of a civilian government, the military has retained all key decision-making functions in the southwestern province and blocked efforts by civil society organizations and media to cover ongoing violence there.”
“Enforced disappearances linked to the security forces continued with impunity. On March 18, plainclothes gunmen later identified as belonging to Pakistan’s paramilitary Frontier Corps allegedly abducted Zahid Baloch, chairperson of the Baloch Student Organization-Azad in the provincial capital, Quetta. Baloch’s whereabouts and safety remained unknown at time of writing. Despite rulings from the Pakistan Supreme Court in 2013 demanding justice for victims of enforced disappearances, as well as recommendations from the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances in 2012, Pakistan’s government has failed to meet its obligations under the constitution and international law prohibiting enforced disappearances.”
Despite the growing concerns of numerous prominent Human Rights Organizations, the United Nations and International Community have remained completely indifferent to the perpetual suffering in Occupied Balochistan.
Reporter - Shawn Forbes
Producer - Aziz Baloch
Balochi TV Online
Human Rights Watch 2015 report
1. Aslam Baloch s/o Imam Baksh
2. Asmat Baloch s/o Abdul Ghani
3. Qasim Baloch
4. Fazal Baloch s/o Mohammad Baksh,
5. Mohammad Baksh s/o Haji Noor Mohammad
6. Zia-Ul-Rahman Baloch s/o Mohammad Baksh
7. Allah Rahm Baloch s/o Haji Noor Mohammad,
8. Abdul Majeed Baloch s/o Haji Noor Mohammad,
9. Abdul Hameed Baloch s/o Haji Noor Mohammad,
10. A woman Rehana Baloch
11. And Abdul Hameed’s two young children Majid and Siraj Baloch
Meanwhile in Pidrak, Occupational State Forces carried out a series of early morning raids. Numerous rural homes in the Pidrak area were invaded looted and ransacked. During the raids State Forces killed Dr. Guman Baloch, Akbar Murad Baloch, and abducted Rahim s/o Roshan. Concurrently in the nearby Pasni area State Security Forces conducted similar operations invading homes, looting valuables and abducting 7 residents. The abductees were identified as;
1-Master Nazeer s/o Talha
2-Nadil s/o Raza
3-Hasil s/o Ghafoor
4-Dad Bux s/o Doli
5-Zahoor s/o Samad
6-Mayar s/o Qadir Bux
7-Doctor Phullan
Additionally on February 10th in the Kulanch area, State Forces abducted BRP Activist Hanif Baloch s/o Ganjiyan Baloch, Adnan Baloch s/o Hasil Baloch, and Bore s/o Pir Jan Baloch during a series of raids. According to reports, a number of local women & children were sustained injuries after being severely beaten by Security Forces.
Pakistan Security Forces abducted 300 people from the Mashkey area during a massive military operation on February 12th. Emerging reports indicate a huge regiment of Army Fighters stormed villages in the area and began rounding up the local civilians in a massive door to door operation.
On February 6th in the Pakistan Army Forces attacked the Bahot-e-Chaat village in Dash Balochistan. State Forces looted and burned numerous homes in the area. Residents were allegedly detained and subjected to acts of torture during the attack.
A day earlier Occupational State Forces conducted operations in the Mashkey area. Numerous homes in the Parwar district were invaded ransacked and looted of valuables. Two women Bibi Gull and Bibi Zoja were martyred during the attack, a number of women and children were also injured by State Forces. The same day Gulzar was reportedly abducted from the Rendak district by state forces.
On February 1st The Pakistan Army launched a deadly military offensive in Sui, Naseerabad, Zainkoh and surrounding areas. State Forces indiscriminately bombarded the rural villages injuring numerous residents. Among the injured were two women; identified as Nazgul Bugti & her daughter Mahgul Bugti.
In Iranian Occupied Western Balochistan; Activists reported that on February 2nd in the Chahbahar region a regiment of Iranian Security Forces arrived at BelSar city with four Bull-Dozers in the early morning. Iranian Occupational Forces forcefully displaced the impoverished villagers and proceeded to level the village destroying the local homes and mosque. In a matter of hours the 500 year old Baloch farming village, consisting of some 30 families was reduced to little more than a tooled town signboard and some scattered rubble. Elders within the displaced community expressed concerns the Iranian regime is attempting to drive them from their homelands. Community representatives have attempted to reach out to Iranian authorities to register complaints, but have received no response.
Baloch living in Iranian Occupied regions are faced with deprivation of civil infrastructure, clean water, electricity, health care education and employment. As a result the Baloch residents of Western Balochistan are subjected to severe underdevelopment and enforced poverty. According to a report by the Baloch Activists Campaign, at least 3,300 villages in W. Balochistan lacked basic watery supply facilities. The head of the Balochistan Water Supply Company informed that over 500,000 villagers in Balochistan did not have access to clean drinking water. According to the The Statistics Center of Iran, Balochistan was at the absolute bottom of household income. Additionally Western Balochistan has the highest rate of undernourishment in the entire country.
For thousands of years, Nomadic Baloch tribes from all regions of Balochistan freely bartered goods & services with each other in order to facilitate mutual survival in the harsh mountainous regions. Today the Baloch tribes are denied this essential and ancient tradition. The border region is heavily manned by Iranian security forces, hunting for anyone attempting to transport goods, especially fuel, across the border into Pakistan. Many residents of W. Balochistan have been forced to resort to selling fuel across the border in Pakistan to earn a few Rs. Despite the deadly risks posed by Iranian security forces, people are faced with no other option but to venture into the line of fire and risk their lives to earn sufficient money just to provide for their families.
Throughout January, the Pakistan army and their proxy death squads have continued to accelerate their sinister crusade of enforced abductions, extrajudicial executions and military campaigns in Occupied Balochistan. The increasing frequency of target killings and near daily discoveries of mutilated dead bodies dumped throughout the region has become a chilling reality. The Pakistan Army are now engaging in routine excessive military offensives against civilian targets on a near daily basis.
On January 20th reports emerged indicating large numbers of Pakistan soldiers were deployed in the Zain, Loti, Herokh & surrounding areas of Dera Bugti, on January 20th soon afterwards numerous Gunship Helicopters converged in the Sui area. On January 22nd Pakistan Armed Forces invaded the Seghari area of Sui, Dera Bugti. Several homes were burned to the ground during the siege and at least three people have been abducted.
On January 20th Pakistan Armed Forces conducted a series of pre-dawn raids in the Sandam, Atta Mahmad Bazar, and Ladhay Bazar areas of Geshkor, and Awaran Balochistan. Occupational State Forces invaded numerous homes, assaulting the residents including the women & children, and looting valuables. 60 people were abducted during the raids and taken to a nearby military camp.
Local women and children gathered outside the military camp and protested the enforced abductions of their loved ones. The state forces attempted to disperse the crowd of protesters, including the use of live weapon fire; but the protesters remained steadfast in their resolve to recover their abducted loved ones. Refusing to abandon hope, the brave protesters remained at the Army camp for several hours, after which time all 60 detained residents were released. There has been no word of any reparations or compensation for the unlawful detention of civilians, destruction of property or loss of valuables.
According to a BSO Azad spokesman “Pakistan forces are fearful due to the active participation of the general populace in Baloch freedom movement and therefore forces have intensified their atrocities in the length and breadth of Balochistan. But, the unwavering struggle of general population has proved that they would never withdraw from their objective.”
The BSO Spokesman further said that “so far alone in this month, more than 20 Baloch have been killed and injured, while several abducted in recent wave of state terrorism in Hub, Awaran, Jahoo, Mashkay, Dera Bugti, Quetta and Makuran region of Balochistan.”
On January 14th Occupational state forces blockaded and bulldozed the entire Goth Mittha Khan Marri area, a Baloch labor settlement of 60 homes, in Hub city. Without warning occupational state forces stormed the settlement looting valuables, forcefully evicting residents and bulldozing the Baloch settlement. Three residents were abducted during the operation.
Separately in Kohlu, Pakistan forces conducted a series of door to door search operations on January 14th. During the operation state forces ransacked numerous homes in the area, looting valuables, and harassing the residents, including women & children. Among the items confiscated during the raids were flags of Baloch Student Organization and National Movement.
Seven people were abducted by Occupational State Forces in Panjgur in separate incidents on January 12th and 13thIn the Kharan area of Panjgur, two ninth grade students were abducted by State Forces. The abducted students were identified as Ejaz s/o Mubarak & Ali Aur Razzaq s/o Mohammad Saeed. Two more Baloch youth; Nisar and Ehsan were abducted by Pakistan State Death Squads from the Gramkaan area of Panjgur. And in Bazar, Panjgur; Pakistan Military Forces abducted Sakhi Daad, Mirza Baloch and Aslam Baloch. State forces have shifted the abductees to an unspecified location.
Meanwhile In the Gishkur area, of Panjgur, Occupataional State Forces invaded & ransacked the small villages of Rekchahy & Kechy on January 13th. According to reports State Forces looted and damaged numerous homes in the tiny rural villages. Residents including women & children were detained & subjected to acts of torture. 30 residents were allegedly abducted during the raids.
Occupational State Forces conducted a number of violent military operations during the first week of January 2015. On January 5th Pakistan armed forces decimated the tiny village of Gazi Koor, Jahoo. Two children and two women were martyred when Pakistani Fighter Jets and Gunship Helicopters bombarded the rural village. The victims were identified as 7 year old Dary Khan, 8 year old Gaji Haan, Granjan and Lal Bibi.
A few days later in Kolwah Occupational State Forces abducted six people on January 8th. The abductees were identified as Zakeer, Ubaid, Bahot, Emam, Samad, and Sattar. According to reports, State Forces invaded homes, looted valuables, and subjected the resident to acts of torture.
Recent attacks and threats against schools promoting modern education in Balochistan have increased substantially. Countless public and private schools throughout Balochistan have been destroyed or forced to close as result of the state endorsed campaign to deprive the Baloch youth of meaningful education. Teachers and students are regularly threatened, abducted and assassinated. On January 12th an armed gang of terrorists attacked a local primary school in the Killi Wazir Khan area of Daalbandin. According to reports attackers set fire to the building; burning it to the ground. Most recently educators and facilities in the Makran region are being victimized by the state backed gangs of fanatic terrorists.
In response to a recent move by Pakistan authorities to legitimize private death squads in Balochistan, the Baloch National Movement central spokesperson released the following statement on January 23rd.
Central spokespersons of Baloch National Movement said that “the state claims during the recent counter insurgency National Party is in the forefront in Balochistan. Recently, last week in Jhalawan several tribal leaders along with National Party collective made a decision. Together they prepared private forces to counter the insurgency. These private forces were comprised of radical religious Mullahs, murderers and bandits.
They have full support of the Paksitan Frontier Corps, ISI and Army. While in the office of Balochistan Chief Minister; Dr, Malik Baloch and his National Party have been presiding over Balochistan at a time when there are reportedly more than 500 dead bodies discovered during 2014. During CM Dr Malik Baloch, the government has given a free hand to exploit the resources of Balochistan. The Most recently allegations against Dr. Malik involving millions of dollars of corruption is the proof. In Makuran his government is supporting the state extremists whom are implicated in the killing of the Zikri Baloch. Extremists are further pushing the secular Baloch society towards Talibanization while National Party is directly involved in this game. During the earthquake in Awaran Dr. Malik’s government allowed a state extremists NGO "Jammy ul Dawa" to help the victims while refusing to allow the International and local NGO's to help the earth quick victims.
While Pakistan continues to carry out savage military operations, countless dedicated Baloch activists continue to raise awareness of the State atrocities committed in occupied Balochistan. Thanks to dedicated efforts of Baloch activists, the Baloch struggle is beginning to make significant strides on the international stage.
On January 16th a delegation from BRP Germany chapter had a conference with the Secretary General of the international society for Human rights Mr. Karl Hafen in Frankfurt, Germany. BRP Germany chapter headed by chapter representative Ashraf Sher Jan Baloch and Nasrullah Baloch; eloquently conveyed a summary of the Human Rights violations being carried out in occupied Balochistan. Speaking with Mr. Karl Hafen, BRP representative Ashraf Sher Jan Baloch said that “Three Mass graves have been discovered in Totak area of Balochistan; from which at least 179 decomposed dead bodies of Baloch missing persons were recovered last year.” Ashraf further stated that “Pakistani forces with the support of international aids particularly which they receives from the United states and European countries, are being used against innocent Baloch civilians in massive military operations in Balochistan on a daily basis. Baloch political leaders, activists, students, teachers, doctors, intellectuals and people from different walk of life were being abducted and detained without any legal arrest warrant or any convictions, and are being inhumanly tortured and dumped dead in desolate areas. Innumerable Baloch people have been illegally disappeared and 2500 out of which are killed and dumped by Pakistani security forces by now.”
After hearing the testimony of the BRP-Germany delegation, Mr. Karl Hafen acknowledged the human rights abuses in occupied Balochistan and assured the BRP delegation that the International Society for Human Rights would raise their voice against the serious human rights abuses in Balochistan at every international forum possible.
The next day Baloch Republican Party Germany Chapter Held a gather to honor the martyrdom of Baloch activists; BRP Central Committe member Martyr Ahmed Dad Baloch and BNM Central Committee member Martyr Naseer Kamalan Baloch. Both were well known activists who campaigned against the Occupational State’s plunder of Baloch resources through Gwadar. Forrmer BRP Gwadar Zone president Martyr Ahmed Dad Baloch was dragged from a passenger coach by Military Intelligence agents on October 3rd 2010.
Similarly a senior leader of BNM and well known Balochi language poet; was abducted by FC personnel on November 5th of 2010 while travelling from Pasni to Gwadar. The tortured remains of Shaheed Naseer Kamalan and Shaheed Ahmed Dad Baloch were recovered on January 17th 2011 dumped along the side of the Makran coastal highway.
On January 30th Baloch Republican Party activists and Baloch Republican Student Organization also held huge public gatherings in Kech to honor the memory of martyred BRP leader Shaheed Ahmadad Baloch.
On January 31st Baloch Republican Party activists remembered the martyrdom anniversary of BRP Chairman Brahamdagh Bugti’s sister Shaheed Godi Zamur Bibi and her daughter Jana. Zamur Bibi, Jana and their driver were gunned down by State Security Forces in Karachi on January 31st 2012. BRP activists in Dera Bugti, Naseerabad, Sibbi, Turbat, & Punjgor held references in tribute to the Martyred sisters of the nation.
On February 2nd BSO Azad Awaran Zone held public demonstrations to protest the enforced disappearance of BSO-Azad Chairman Zahid Baloch and the rampant human rights abuses in Occupied Balochistan. Protesters urge the international community and human rights organizations to pressure Pakistan to release the illegally detained activists and end their campaign of human rights abuses in Balochistan.
Baloch Human Rights Organization held also protests on February 2nd at the Karachi press club against state barbarism in Occupied Balochistan.
On January 7th Baloch Human Rights Organization (BHRO) held demonstrations at the Karachi Press Club to protest the Army Operations, Enforced Abductions and ruthless Murder of Innocent Baloch in Pasni, Dera Bugti, Awaran, Kulanch, Jahoo, Mashkey, Dasht and other regions of Balochistan.
Last Year, on January 19th 2014; The Occupational State Forces conducted a military operation in the Jahoo Mollazahi town of Awaran. During the attack 5 young Baloch were killed, among them was a factory laborer from Hub returned to his home town to get married.
Soon after the attack; reporter Riaz Sohial visited the town and witnessed the devastation first hand. Riaz Sohail described a desolate scene comprised of burned houses, dead livestock, and bullet riddled buildings.
In a tiny mud hut, Riaz Sohail met with Gulshin, wife-to-be of the martyred factory worker; Nawaz Baloch, where she conveyed her painful story to Riaz Sohail in vivid detail.
According to the report; The bride Gulshin, her groom Nawaz, his brother and cousin were sleeping when they were suddenly awoke to being severely beaten by a squad of Security Forces. The next morning local villagers discovered the bullet riddled remains of 5 young Baloch dumped in the nearby canal. The five young men were uneducated farmers & laborers.
Riaz Sohail reported that among the more than 50 homes he visited, not one single family had any association with political parties; nor did he see any images of freedom fighters, leaders, flags or wall chalking associated with Baloch freedom movements. Despite the total lack of evidence or confirmation, State Forces claimed all five youth were militants.
In their 2015 annual world report, the International Human Rights Organization Human Rights Watch released the following statement regarding the current situation in Balochistan.
“The human rights situation in Balochistan remained abysmal. Despite the May 2013 election of a civilian government, the military has retained all key decision-making functions in the southwestern province and blocked efforts by civil society organizations and media to cover ongoing violence there.”
“Enforced disappearances linked to the security forces continued with impunity. On March 18, plainclothes gunmen later identified as belonging to Pakistan’s paramilitary Frontier Corps allegedly abducted Zahid Baloch, chairperson of the Baloch Student Organization-Azad in the provincial capital, Quetta. Baloch’s whereabouts and safety remained unknown at time of writing. Despite rulings from the Pakistan Supreme Court in 2013 demanding justice for victims of enforced disappearances, as well as recommendations from the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances in 2012, Pakistan’s government has failed to meet its obligations under the constitution and international law prohibiting enforced disappearances.”
Despite the growing concerns of numerous prominent Human Rights Organizations, the United Nations and International Community have remained completely indifferent to the perpetual suffering in Occupied Balochistan.
Reporter - Shawn Forbes
Producer - Aziz Baloch
Balochi TV Online
Human Rights Watch 2015 report
