Balochistan : News, Discussions & Updates
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Five FC men killed in Balochistan
QUETTA : At least five Frontier Corps (FC) soldiers died when an oil tanker carrying smuggled fuel ran over their vehicle in Kharan district on Saturday.
According to officials, FC’s patrolling team signaled at the tanker carrying smuggled Iranian fuel to stop but its driver tried to speed away.
“The Frontier Corps soldiers attempted to intercept the oil tanker, but the driver ran over their vehicle, killing five personnel, including a Naib Subaidar,” they said. The FC vehicle was destroyed.
Rescue workers and paramilitary personnel took the bodies to a hospital in the area. However, the tanker driver and his accompanies fled after abandoning the vehicle.
Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri ordered strict action against the oil smugglers.
Fuel smuggling across Balochistan’s border with Iran is rampant and Iranian fuel is openly sold in many cities of the province, including Quetta.
QUETTA : At least five Frontier Corps (FC) soldiers died when an oil tanker carrying smuggled fuel ran over their vehicle in Kharan district on Saturday.
According to officials, FC’s patrolling team signaled at the tanker carrying smuggled Iranian fuel to stop but its driver tried to speed away.
“The Frontier Corps soldiers attempted to intercept the oil tanker, but the driver ran over their vehicle, killing five personnel, including a Naib Subaidar,” they said. The FC vehicle was destroyed.
Rescue workers and paramilitary personnel took the bodies to a hospital in the area. However, the tanker driver and his accompanies fled after abandoning the vehicle.
Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri ordered strict action against the oil smugglers.
Fuel smuggling across Balochistan’s border with Iran is rampant and Iranian fuel is openly sold in many cities of the province, including Quetta.
RAW-hired ‘moles’ planted IEDs in AJK to target Pak army, civilians
16 HOURS AGO BY MIAN ABRAR
ISLAMABAD: Moles hired by the Indian spy agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), have been involved in planting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to target Pakistani security forces and innocent civilians, according to an intelligence probe that debunked the recent Indian claims of ‘surgical strikes’ within Pakistani territory in Kashmir.
Official documents available with Pakistan Today suggested that the investigators have led to the conclusion that Indians were involved in planting highly sophisticated IEDs near the Line of Control (LoC), and 27 such attacks since 2016 have led to the death of eight civilians and military officials while leaving left 19 injured.
A comprehensive intelligence probe has found irrefutable evidence proving the direct involvement of Indian intelligence agencies, particularly RAW, in planning and execution of these attacks. The probe also resulted in the arrest of several moles who confessed their role in 27 IED attacks.
The documents say that the Indian intelligence operators have mostly used Hand-Held Radios or cellular phone (GSM) devices for remotely activating IEDs (placed by agents); therefore, IED sites are selected with a clear line of sight from the Indian army posts (map below). GSM coverage spill over across the LOC also facilitates the attacks.
“The fire resistant tape used to hold the wires of the circuit together is of Indian origin-manufactured by Anchor Grip Company of Gujrat, India. The forensic analysis reveals a use of Indian manufactured geometry boxes as a container for the trigger of Remote Controlled Improvised Explosive Devices (RCIEDs) – SANGHAVI PLAST – Indian manufacturing company,” the documents said.
The documents say that forensic exploration reveals the use of Indian made circuit board items; ‘Made in India’ is written in clear on the recovered items – manufactured by India-based Verse company.
“Hindi writing script (handwritten) has also been found on one of the circuit boards. The detailed analysis of recovered unexploded electric detonators reveal a unique clamping signature; another new technique as all IEDs employed along the Western border have been found to use a manual clamping method,” the documents said.
“The recovered RCIEDs have revealed that multiple battery packs are used for providing extended power to the RCIED (estimated to last up to 45 days). The long life of battery provides the Indian intelligence operators flexibility in selecting and engaging targets (civilians or military personnel) to maximise the damage (from adjacent Indian posts across LOC),” the probe report went on to state.
The Indian involvement is further revealed in the level of sophistication in the construct of IEDs; a use of Breadboard Circuit is a new technique being used on IEDs found on the LOC — a readymade solution for constructing complex electronic projects.
“A use of doorbell switches in a few IEDs, with inscription/ marking deliberately scratched off, is another new technique never seen on IEDs recovered on Western border,” the report disclosed.
“The spies have confessed that Indian intelligence agencies and Indian army posted at the Line of Control (LoC) have hired them for planting IEDs in areas close to the LoC to target the Pakistan Army,” an official involved with the investigation said.
The official, who did not identify because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said that since 2016, 16 IED attacks have taken place in the vicinity of the LOC, which resulted in casualties of innocent civilians and military personnel.
The official said that the IEDs employed in AJK were technically more sophisticated as compared to the ragtag/ rudimentary nature of IEDs employed by Violent Non-State Actors (VNSAs) on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
“Despite cautioning the Indian military hierarchy [through Military Operations Hotline Communication], this dangerous trend continues. But let me warn India that it will have to face consequences if not stopped,” the official said.
The IEDs planted by Indian intelligence agencies have resulted in the martyrdom of civilians and soldiers alike. “Till date, 27 casualties have occurred which include eight martyred and 19 injured,” the official said.
The official said that the apprehended Indian agents have confessed to their links with the Indian agencies that clearly implicate RAW in lead role for these sabotage activities.
“The revealed modus operandi and evidence found on the IED blast sites further confirm Indian involvement in these sabotage activities. The Indian agents also revealed details pertaining to their meeting with Indian intelligence officials at Indian posts across the LOC, where they were tasked to place and conduct the IED attacks,” the investigator said.
The official said the agents were additionally tasked with other espionage activities–information on the Pakistan Army deployment etc.
“Singular motivation of all apprehended saboteurs has been material gains; no ideological tidings exist. All IED attacks were conducted in the proximity of the LOC due to an increased reliance by the Indian agencies on Remotely Controlled IEDs (RCIED),” the probe report said.
TARGETING OF CIVILIANS DURING CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS:
Moreover, the report disclosed the Indian government’s coercive strategy, unfortunately, involves targeting civilians as a design, which is a gross violation of Geneva Convention and Law of Armed Conflict. “It is premised on a fake and audacious narrative of alleging border villagers of facilitating cross-border terrorism,” the report read.
Even an Indian media’s report, in September 2017, said that as part of ‘Operation Arjun’, the Border Security Force (BSF) had deliberately targeted farms and residences of civilians along the Working Boundary that had led to the deaths of eleven civilians and seven Pakistan Rangers personnel.
An article published in Times of India also said that similar violations were also undertaken from September to December 2016 under the garb of ‘Operation Rustam’.
RAW-hired ‘moles’ planted IEDs in AJK to target Pak army, civilians
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/20...ted-ieds-in-ajk-to-target-pak-army-civilians/
There were 2 attacks on Pak Army in Balochistan, one IED blast 5+ PA men dead and Rocket attack in retaliation to Embassy attack in Afghanistan killing another 10+ PA men. Pak Army and Govt. both are now mentally disturbed and don't know how to handle the situation. Indian Army and RAW along with GOI all are working in sync to completely finish Pakistan from core without crossing Borders/LOC inflicting heavy damages to Pak Army and Pak Economy and Pak Govt. is definitely on the BACKFOOT Now.........
16 HOURS AGO BY MIAN ABRAR
- India involved in covert IED attacks on Kashmiri civilians, army
- 27 attacks since 2016 have left eight martyrs, 19 injured
- IEDs carry signature stamps, marks of Indian companies
ISLAMABAD: Moles hired by the Indian spy agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), have been involved in planting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to target Pakistani security forces and innocent civilians, according to an intelligence probe that debunked the recent Indian claims of ‘surgical strikes’ within Pakistani territory in Kashmir.
Official documents available with Pakistan Today suggested that the investigators have led to the conclusion that Indians were involved in planting highly sophisticated IEDs near the Line of Control (LoC), and 27 such attacks since 2016 have led to the death of eight civilians and military officials while leaving left 19 injured.
A comprehensive intelligence probe has found irrefutable evidence proving the direct involvement of Indian intelligence agencies, particularly RAW, in planning and execution of these attacks. The probe also resulted in the arrest of several moles who confessed their role in 27 IED attacks.
The documents say that the Indian intelligence operators have mostly used Hand-Held Radios or cellular phone (GSM) devices for remotely activating IEDs (placed by agents); therefore, IED sites are selected with a clear line of sight from the Indian army posts (map below). GSM coverage spill over across the LOC also facilitates the attacks.
“The fire resistant tape used to hold the wires of the circuit together is of Indian origin-manufactured by Anchor Grip Company of Gujrat, India. The forensic analysis reveals a use of Indian manufactured geometry boxes as a container for the trigger of Remote Controlled Improvised Explosive Devices (RCIEDs) – SANGHAVI PLAST – Indian manufacturing company,” the documents said.
The documents say that forensic exploration reveals the use of Indian made circuit board items; ‘Made in India’ is written in clear on the recovered items – manufactured by India-based Verse company.
“Hindi writing script (handwritten) has also been found on one of the circuit boards. The detailed analysis of recovered unexploded electric detonators reveal a unique clamping signature; another new technique as all IEDs employed along the Western border have been found to use a manual clamping method,” the documents said.
“The recovered RCIEDs have revealed that multiple battery packs are used for providing extended power to the RCIED (estimated to last up to 45 days). The long life of battery provides the Indian intelligence operators flexibility in selecting and engaging targets (civilians or military personnel) to maximise the damage (from adjacent Indian posts across LOC),” the probe report went on to state.
The Indian involvement is further revealed in the level of sophistication in the construct of IEDs; a use of Breadboard Circuit is a new technique being used on IEDs found on the LOC — a readymade solution for constructing complex electronic projects.
“A use of doorbell switches in a few IEDs, with inscription/ marking deliberately scratched off, is another new technique never seen on IEDs recovered on Western border,” the report disclosed.
“The spies have confessed that Indian intelligence agencies and Indian army posted at the Line of Control (LoC) have hired them for planting IEDs in areas close to the LoC to target the Pakistan Army,” an official involved with the investigation said.
The official, who did not identify because he was not authorised to speak to the media, said that since 2016, 16 IED attacks have taken place in the vicinity of the LOC, which resulted in casualties of innocent civilians and military personnel.
The official said that the IEDs employed in AJK were technically more sophisticated as compared to the ragtag/ rudimentary nature of IEDs employed by Violent Non-State Actors (VNSAs) on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
“Despite cautioning the Indian military hierarchy [through Military Operations Hotline Communication], this dangerous trend continues. But let me warn India that it will have to face consequences if not stopped,” the official said.
The IEDs planted by Indian intelligence agencies have resulted in the martyrdom of civilians and soldiers alike. “Till date, 27 casualties have occurred which include eight martyred and 19 injured,” the official said.
The official said that the apprehended Indian agents have confessed to their links with the Indian agencies that clearly implicate RAW in lead role for these sabotage activities.
“The revealed modus operandi and evidence found on the IED blast sites further confirm Indian involvement in these sabotage activities. The Indian agents also revealed details pertaining to their meeting with Indian intelligence officials at Indian posts across the LOC, where they were tasked to place and conduct the IED attacks,” the investigator said.
The official said the agents were additionally tasked with other espionage activities–information on the Pakistan Army deployment etc.
“Singular motivation of all apprehended saboteurs has been material gains; no ideological tidings exist. All IED attacks were conducted in the proximity of the LOC due to an increased reliance by the Indian agencies on Remotely Controlled IEDs (RCIED),” the probe report said.
TARGETING OF CIVILIANS DURING CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS:
Moreover, the report disclosed the Indian government’s coercive strategy, unfortunately, involves targeting civilians as a design, which is a gross violation of Geneva Convention and Law of Armed Conflict. “It is premised on a fake and audacious narrative of alleging border villagers of facilitating cross-border terrorism,” the report read.
Even an Indian media’s report, in September 2017, said that as part of ‘Operation Arjun’, the Border Security Force (BSF) had deliberately targeted farms and residences of civilians along the Working Boundary that had led to the deaths of eleven civilians and seven Pakistan Rangers personnel.
An article published in Times of India also said that similar violations were also undertaken from September to December 2016 under the garb of ‘Operation Rustam’.
RAW-hired ‘moles’ planted IEDs in AJK to target Pak army, civilians
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/20...ted-ieds-in-ajk-to-target-pak-army-civilians/
There were 2 attacks on Pak Army in Balochistan, one IED blast 5+ PA men dead and Rocket attack in retaliation to Embassy attack in Afghanistan killing another 10+ PA men. Pak Army and Govt. both are now mentally disturbed and don't know how to handle the situation. Indian Army and RAW along with GOI all are working in sync to completely finish Pakistan from core without crossing Borders/LOC inflicting heavy damages to Pak Army and Pak Economy and Pak Govt. is definitely on the BACKFOOT Now.........
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Five security personnel martyred in Turbat gun attack
QUETTA: Five troops of paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) were martyred and six others sustained injuries when their vehicles were ambushed in Shapok area in Balochistan’s Kech district on Monday evening.
Officials said two FC vehicles, transporting soldiers from Panjgur to Turban, were attacked with automatic weapons when they were crossing the mountainous area of Shapok.
“As a result of the firing and overturning of the vehicles, five FC personnel got martyred and six others sustained injured,” said Turbat Assistant Commissioner Dr Jamil Baloch.
He said soon after the incident, the FC personnel deployed in the area rushed to the site, cordoned off the area and shifted the dead and the injured to Turbat’s district hospital.
“Four soldiers of the FC succumbed to their injuries on the spot as they received multiple bullet wounds,” said an official, adding that condition of two other soldiers was also serious.
The martyred troops were identified as Hawaldar Zakir, Lance Naik Masood, sepoy Shahbaz Qasir, sepoy Farmanullah and sepoy Masood. The injured men include Hawaldar Qambar, Asadullah, Sohail, Muhammad Bilal, Muhammad Hanif and Shafqatullah.
After the incident, security forces launched a search operation in the area and rounded up some suspects, who were shifted to some unknown location for interrogation.
QUETTA: Five troops of paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) were martyred and six others sustained injuries when their vehicles were ambushed in Shapok area in Balochistan’s Kech district on Monday evening.
Officials said two FC vehicles, transporting soldiers from Panjgur to Turban, were attacked with automatic weapons when they were crossing the mountainous area of Shapok.
“As a result of the firing and overturning of the vehicles, five FC personnel got martyred and six others sustained injured,” said Turbat Assistant Commissioner Dr Jamil Baloch.
He said soon after the incident, the FC personnel deployed in the area rushed to the site, cordoned off the area and shifted the dead and the injured to Turbat’s district hospital.
“Four soldiers of the FC succumbed to their injuries on the spot as they received multiple bullet wounds,” said an official, adding that condition of two other soldiers was also serious.
The martyred troops were identified as Hawaldar Zakir, Lance Naik Masood, sepoy Shahbaz Qasir, sepoy Farmanullah and sepoy Masood. The injured men include Hawaldar Qambar, Asadullah, Sohail, Muhammad Bilal, Muhammad Hanif and Shafqatullah.
After the incident, security forces launched a search operation in the area and rounded up some suspects, who were shifted to some unknown location for interrogation.
Illusion of democracy in Balochistan
Following Abdul Quddus Bizenjo’s election as the third chief minister of Balochistan in four years, it would be useful to review his credentials largely in terms of popularity and acceptability. Before we congratulate him, we must see how many votes he bagged in the general election held in 2013? Out of a total of 57,656 registered votes in the constituency, Bizenjo secured just 544 votes, which is slightly above one per cent. Is it enough mandate?
In terms of democratic yardsticks, the legislator from Awaran district is perhaps not even eligible for a seat of a councillor, let alone MPA or the chief minister for that matter! Within days of his election as CM, Bizenjo joined the Pakistan Peoples Party. The reason behind the abysmally low turnout was owing to the boycott by separatist-minded Baloch nationalist parties in the area. Does his election represent the aspirations of the people who are disgruntled and disillusioned, and caught between democratic and non-democratic forces?
It is evident from the turnout in Awaran that nationalist groups wield considerable influence there. So, is it a prudent approach to ignore them and move on? Surely, one should have explored ways and means to bring them to the negotiating table? Egos shouldn’t come in the way when we attempt to resolve a sensitive and volatile issue.
The general election results in Awaran also raise serious questions about the effectiveness of the Election Commission. How can it declare a candidate successful on the basis of one percentage votes? Instead of accepting the poll results, the Election Commission should have declared it null and void because such a candidate cannot be a true representative of the area. The Election Commission must answer as to why it chose to remain silent and indifferent to the said poll results.
Though Balochistan is a troubled and complex province, our rulers tend to adopt the same approach yet naively expect a better outcome. Decades-long mishandling of the province has resulted in worsening of the situation and creation of new kind of problems. It seems that policymakers and those “forces” which decide the fate of the province behind the curtains still don’t realise the gravity of the situation as well as the shortcomings of their strategy. Bizenjo is arguably the weakest CM compared with his predecessors, Sardar Sanaullah Zehri and Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, in terms of votes and party position in the assembly. Despite allocating Rs34 billion for maintaining law and order, almost half of the social sector development budget, the provincial government has failed to address the issue and bring sustainable peace to Balochistan.
The first coalition government under Dr Abdul Malik Baloch left a trail of gloom and doom which was rife with corruption scandals, nepotism and conflicts with the bureaucracy, all these issues rendered him ineffective. The same farcical scenes were replayed when Sardar Sanaullah Zehri was in the saddle. As a result, the shadow of corruption and favoritism continued to dominate the political scene in Balochistan and major issues remained unresolved. Under Bizenjo, things are unlikely to change drastically. Keeping in view the weak civilian setup, it is not very difficult to predict what the newly elected CM will be able to deliver in the remaining few months.
One wonders what is then a sustainable and effective solution to Balochistan’s problems? The system of governance will not improve by installing weak and hand-picked leaders. The province needs a greater and genuine participation of public in the democratic process. At the moment Balochistan has the lowest turnout in the country — 40.48%. Moreover, if one excludes the percentage of rigging then it will further go down. It is high time for “the decision-makers” to revisit their strategy thoroughly vis-à-vis Balochistan. The province badly requires real leaders with a full mandate of the public, not hand-picked ones.
Following Abdul Quddus Bizenjo’s election as the third chief minister of Balochistan in four years, it would be useful to review his credentials largely in terms of popularity and acceptability. Before we congratulate him, we must see how many votes he bagged in the general election held in 2013? Out of a total of 57,656 registered votes in the constituency, Bizenjo secured just 544 votes, which is slightly above one per cent. Is it enough mandate?
In terms of democratic yardsticks, the legislator from Awaran district is perhaps not even eligible for a seat of a councillor, let alone MPA or the chief minister for that matter! Within days of his election as CM, Bizenjo joined the Pakistan Peoples Party. The reason behind the abysmally low turnout was owing to the boycott by separatist-minded Baloch nationalist parties in the area. Does his election represent the aspirations of the people who are disgruntled and disillusioned, and caught between democratic and non-democratic forces?
It is evident from the turnout in Awaran that nationalist groups wield considerable influence there. So, is it a prudent approach to ignore them and move on? Surely, one should have explored ways and means to bring them to the negotiating table? Egos shouldn’t come in the way when we attempt to resolve a sensitive and volatile issue.
The general election results in Awaran also raise serious questions about the effectiveness of the Election Commission. How can it declare a candidate successful on the basis of one percentage votes? Instead of accepting the poll results, the Election Commission should have declared it null and void because such a candidate cannot be a true representative of the area. The Election Commission must answer as to why it chose to remain silent and indifferent to the said poll results.
Though Balochistan is a troubled and complex province, our rulers tend to adopt the same approach yet naively expect a better outcome. Decades-long mishandling of the province has resulted in worsening of the situation and creation of new kind of problems. It seems that policymakers and those “forces” which decide the fate of the province behind the curtains still don’t realise the gravity of the situation as well as the shortcomings of their strategy. Bizenjo is arguably the weakest CM compared with his predecessors, Sardar Sanaullah Zehri and Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, in terms of votes and party position in the assembly. Despite allocating Rs34 billion for maintaining law and order, almost half of the social sector development budget, the provincial government has failed to address the issue and bring sustainable peace to Balochistan.
The first coalition government under Dr Abdul Malik Baloch left a trail of gloom and doom which was rife with corruption scandals, nepotism and conflicts with the bureaucracy, all these issues rendered him ineffective. The same farcical scenes were replayed when Sardar Sanaullah Zehri was in the saddle. As a result, the shadow of corruption and favoritism continued to dominate the political scene in Balochistan and major issues remained unresolved. Under Bizenjo, things are unlikely to change drastically. Keeping in view the weak civilian setup, it is not very difficult to predict what the newly elected CM will be able to deliver in the remaining few months.
One wonders what is then a sustainable and effective solution to Balochistan’s problems? The system of governance will not improve by installing weak and hand-picked leaders. The province needs a greater and genuine participation of public in the democratic process. At the moment Balochistan has the lowest turnout in the country — 40.48%. Moreover, if one excludes the percentage of rigging then it will further go down. It is high time for “the decision-makers” to revisit their strategy thoroughly vis-à-vis Balochistan. The province badly requires real leaders with a full mandate of the public, not hand-picked ones.
This map looks familiar ... it resembles that of the launching camps destroyed during the Surgical strikes of 2016. Looks like Pakistan is now ingeniously devising reason for the causalities suffered then
Creative imagination but absolutely rubbish. No one uses Hindi even for hand written instructions on a PCB.
2,000 Baloch separatists surrender in two years
Islamabad
The renewed policy of Islamabad for Balochistan is bearing fruits as more than 2,000 suspected separatists have surrendered to security forces in last two years. In addition, around 300 handed themselves recently under a general amnesty which promises money and a government job in return, revealed National Action Plan (NAP) Review – 2017 issued by National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), highlighting steps towards reconciliation.
The effort to court Baloch separatists has been appreciated. In recent years, the government has also embarked on a strategy to address some of province‘s main grievances. The Review said hundreds of Baloch students have been granted scholarships by universities in Punjab. Separatist leader Nawabzada Gazain Marri returned to Pakistan after a decade in self-imposed exile, a development seen as another government success in soothing tensions.
Moreover, Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan initiative ensured representation of Balochistan in the country’s top institutions including army where 13,200 Baloch youths have been inducted while 580 more completed their training in December 2017. Besides Mastung, three more cadet colleges have been established in the province, 67 youth from Balochistan had been recruited in Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), three in Civil Defence Department, 68 in PWD, 70 in Utility Stores Corporation, seven in Planning and Development Division, 50 in Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) and three in Ministry of Defence.—APP
2,000 Baloch separatists surrender in two years - PakObserver
With the ongoing development and the policy adopted during RS's period insurgency which is on it's death bed will be over in 2-3 years hopefully!
Islamabad
The renewed policy of Islamabad for Balochistan is bearing fruits as more than 2,000 suspected separatists have surrendered to security forces in last two years. In addition, around 300 handed themselves recently under a general amnesty which promises money and a government job in return, revealed National Action Plan (NAP) Review – 2017 issued by National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), highlighting steps towards reconciliation.
The effort to court Baloch separatists has been appreciated. In recent years, the government has also embarked on a strategy to address some of province‘s main grievances. The Review said hundreds of Baloch students have been granted scholarships by universities in Punjab. Separatist leader Nawabzada Gazain Marri returned to Pakistan after a decade in self-imposed exile, a development seen as another government success in soothing tensions.
Moreover, Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan initiative ensured representation of Balochistan in the country’s top institutions including army where 13,200 Baloch youths have been inducted while 580 more completed their training in December 2017. Besides Mastung, three more cadet colleges have been established in the province, 67 youth from Balochistan had been recruited in Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), three in Civil Defence Department, 68 in PWD, 70 in Utility Stores Corporation, seven in Planning and Development Division, 50 in Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) and three in Ministry of Defence.—APP
2,000 Baloch separatists surrender in two years - PakObserver
With the ongoing development and the policy adopted during RS's period insurgency which is on it's death bed will be over in 2-3 years hopefully!
Over 200 Baloch separatists lay down their weapons
Over 200 Baloch separatist laid down their weapons in the presence of Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, Commander Southern Command Asim Saleem Bajwa and other top civil and military officials in a ceremony held in Turbat on Thursday.
The militants — a majority of whom were linked to the banned Baloch Liberation Front — also included 15 key commanders, sources within the Balochistan government told DawnNews.
They were allegedly involved in a series of subversive activities, including the targeting of security forces and bomb explosions.
CM Bizenjo distributed cheques worth Rs0.1 million each to the surrendering militants during the ceremony and urged disgruntled Baloch leaders to shun violence and come back into the national fold.
"The state is like a mother, and a mother forgives her children," he claimed, adding: "When children do not understand then the state plays the role of a father."
The militants surrendered before the officials as part of a reconciliation process initiated by the former chief minister, Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch. As many as 1,800 militants have so far laid down their weapons in Quetta, Khuzdar, Kohlu and other areas of the province.
For years, Balochistan has been riven by militancy and sectarian strife. Its roughly seven million inhabitants have also long complained they do not receive a fair share of its gas and mineral wealth.
Baloch separatists demanding more autonomy and control over gas and mineral resources have frequently targeted security forces and police.
Over 200 Baloch separatists lay down their weapons - Pakistan - DAWN.COM
Over 200 Baloch separatist laid down their weapons in the presence of Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, Commander Southern Command Asim Saleem Bajwa and other top civil and military officials in a ceremony held in Turbat on Thursday.
The militants — a majority of whom were linked to the banned Baloch Liberation Front — also included 15 key commanders, sources within the Balochistan government told DawnNews.
They were allegedly involved in a series of subversive activities, including the targeting of security forces and bomb explosions.
CM Bizenjo distributed cheques worth Rs0.1 million each to the surrendering militants during the ceremony and urged disgruntled Baloch leaders to shun violence and come back into the national fold.
"The state is like a mother, and a mother forgives her children," he claimed, adding: "When children do not understand then the state plays the role of a father."
The militants surrendered before the officials as part of a reconciliation process initiated by the former chief minister, Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch. As many as 1,800 militants have so far laid down their weapons in Quetta, Khuzdar, Kohlu and other areas of the province.
For years, Balochistan has been riven by militancy and sectarian strife. Its roughly seven million inhabitants have also long complained they do not receive a fair share of its gas and mineral wealth.
Baloch separatists demanding more autonomy and control over gas and mineral resources have frequently targeted security forces and police.
Over 200 Baloch separatists lay down their weapons - Pakistan - DAWN.COM
Communication system of Pakistani army intercepted after an attack by BLF fighters
Latest armed activities of BLF fighters against Pakistani forces
Latest armed activities of BLF fighters against Pakistani forces
Navy personnel destroy nets of local fishermen in Balochistan
PASNI: Personnel of the Pakistan Navy in north Charbandan on Sunday set the nets of the local fishermen on fire.
Speaking to the media, a resident of Charbandan and local fisherman Nakhuda Ashraf told that the personnel of the Pakistan Navy were setting up a camp in the Rudsar area.
“We had taken it as a good omen thinking that the navy would be there to protect us from any dangers, but instead they have started setting our nets on fire,” he added.
Ashraf further told that he and other fishermen on March 4 had sailed to the sea for fishing when the navy personnel lighted up the nets. “My nets worth Rs450,000 were reduced to ashes,” he said and added that the navy personnel could have let him know in case the nets were a problem for them.
“I could’ve taken them away, but they just burnt them all,” said Ashraf while adding that he was a poor fisherman who earned a living through fishing.
PASNI: Personnel of the Pakistan Navy in north Charbandan on Sunday set the nets of the local fishermen on fire.
Speaking to the media, a resident of Charbandan and local fisherman Nakhuda Ashraf told that the personnel of the Pakistan Navy were setting up a camp in the Rudsar area.
“We had taken it as a good omen thinking that the navy would be there to protect us from any dangers, but instead they have started setting our nets on fire,” he added.
Ashraf further told that he and other fishermen on March 4 had sailed to the sea for fishing when the navy personnel lighted up the nets. “My nets worth Rs450,000 were reduced to ashes,” he said and added that the navy personnel could have let him know in case the nets were a problem for them.
“I could’ve taken them away, but they just burnt them all,” said Ashraf while adding that he was a poor fisherman who earned a living through fishing.
What on Earth has suddenly gone wrong with Ahmar Mustikhan? He's suddenly acting insane. I have a serious doubt that Pakistan might be squeezing him through some means, perhaps they have abducted/threatened whatever few relatives he has left in Pakistan and are making him say and do all this?
There's no other logical explanation, it's as if he's lost his mind overnight.
There's no other logical explanation, it's as if he's lost his mind overnight.
Major pro-independence rally today by Baloch nationalists in Turbat,Southern Balochistan
Six Punjabi labourers shot dead in Balochistan
KHARAN- An incident of targeting labourers occurred in Kharan on Friday where at least six men were gunned down.
According to local media, unidentified attackers, who apparently want to impede development in Pakistan, opened fire on the labourers in the Laijay area in Kharan district of Balochistan.
The labourers — all hailing from Punjab — were working on a mobile tower when they were targeted, Levies officials said.
The assailants escaped unhurt from the spot after the attack, they added.
Moreover, Levies and personnel from other law enforcement agencies reached the site and launched an investigation into the incident soon thereafter.
Militants have repeatedly targeted labourers from Punjab and Sindh working in various parts of Balochistan.
Four Sindhi labourers working on the construction of a road were killed in April 2017 by suspected militants in Balochistan’s Kharan.
KHARAN- An incident of targeting labourers occurred in Kharan on Friday where at least six men were gunned down.
According to local media, unidentified attackers, who apparently want to impede development in Pakistan, opened fire on the labourers in the Laijay area in Kharan district of Balochistan.
The labourers — all hailing from Punjab — were working on a mobile tower when they were targeted, Levies officials said.
The assailants escaped unhurt from the spot after the attack, they added.
Moreover, Levies and personnel from other law enforcement agencies reached the site and launched an investigation into the incident soon thereafter.
Militants have repeatedly targeted labourers from Punjab and Sindh working in various parts of Balochistan.
Four Sindhi labourers working on the construction of a road were killed in April 2017 by suspected militants in Balochistan’s Kharan.