Feb 23, 2016

Balochistan: Pakistani Army Operations Cause Continual Civilian Casualties


Baloch media have reported that the airstrikes and ground attacks by Pakistani Military Forces continue across the region. The military attacks reportedly caused many civilian injuries and losses, and leave community members worried. 

 

Below is an article by Balochwarna News,

 

Balochistan national media sources reported Friday that Pakistani forces’ ground attacks and air strikes against Baloch people continue across Balochistan.

Pakistan Air Force reportedly pounded several regions of Dera Bugti Balochistan resulting several casualties and damage to properties.

Spokesperson of the Baloch Republican Party, Sher Mohammad Bugti, in a statement said that Pakistani forces have intensified their attacks against civilians.

“Gunship helicopters and thousands of ground forces have attacked civilian populations in Pailawagh, Ledav Patti, Chubdar, Loup, Sohrabi, Peeshani, Seekhun and Doe Wadh regions. Dozens of houses have been destroyed in these attacks and its feared that several people including women and children have been killed,” Mr Bugti’s statement read.

He said the affected areas were still under military siege and the lives of thousands of people were in danger.

Separately, on Friday evening Pakistani forces have abducted 19 people, mostly farmers, from Jaladi region of Sibbi Balochistan.

On Friday Pakistani FC and Levis in a joint operation have also abducted four people from Dasht area of Mastung Balochistan. The victims have been named as Mohammad Hanif son of Shahbaz, Allah Bakhsh son of Bakhtiyar Khan, Safar Khan son of Haji Sikandar and Mohammad Amin/Ameen son of Durani Khan.

Meanwhile, the identity of five bodies of previously abducted persons have been confirmed on Friday as that of Qaisar Khan son of Abdul Nabi Sumalani Baloch – resident of Sanjawal, Ramzan Pahlawanzai – resident of Sanjawal, Ahmad Khan Marri – resident of Yakho, Zaman Khan son of Mohammad Raheem Sumalani – resident of Sangaan and Mohammad Khan son of Yaro Marri – resident of Shahrag.

It is worth mentioning that Mohammad Khan Marri is brother of Pasta Khan Chalgari Marri whose body was identified three days ago on (17/02/2015). The body of 70-year-old Chamu Mazarani Marri was also identified on the same day.

Local sources reported that all the victims were innocent civilians who were either farmers or nomads living in the areas. Pakistani forces abducted and disappeared these people during military attacks in Harnai, Sibbi and surrounding regions.

On 13 February, 2016 Pakistani media, security forces and Balochistan Home Minister lied to the public by saying that these people were armed Sarmachaars (freedom fighters) and that they were killed in a gun battle.

Local people told Balochwarna News that these ten people were victims of enforced-disappearances and were abducted by Pakistani forces during previous military attacks.

On 15 February the pro-liberation Baloch resistance organisation – Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has also issue a statement to media and rubbished the claims of Pakistani media and officials saying that Pakistani forces have killed many unarmed civilians and abducted more than 60 others during their attacks in Jaladi, Sangaan, Yakho, Sanjawal, Babar Kach and other surrounding area of Harnai, Sibbi and Bolan regions of Balochistan.

The BLA in their statement said that Pakistani army was trying to conceal its crimes against humanity and killing of innocent people by issuing false statement about killing of Baloch fighters.

The BLA in their statement has issued the name of following civilians who were abducted by Pakistani forces during different attacks. The people listed below are still in custody of Pakistani forces and kept at undisclosed locations.

Molla Madato along with two sons (3 persons from same family) Bacho Gullo Neko (Nek Mohammad) Fakeer Dur Khan along with three sons (4 persons from same family) Noor Khan Derak Haji Mirz Ali along with two sons (3 persons from same family) Wali Khan along with four brothers (5 persons from same family) Imam Khan along with three sons (4 persons from same family) Malik Tangai Mir Mohammad Raheem along with three sons (4 Persons form same family) Jalal Khan Dohalo Murad Ali along with his son (2 persons from same family) Ghazo along with two sons (3 Persons from same family) Azal Khan along with his brother (2 persons from same family) Salam along with his brother (2 persons from same family) Lohar along with his son (2 persons from same family) Maula Bakhsh along with his brother (2 people from same family) Ghulam Shah along with two brothers and four children – sons and nephews) (7 persons from same family) master Gull Hasan Haji Aziz Haji Mehrullah Qazu Akbar Jalat Mehrab