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Pasni Sit-In: Families demand recovery of missing Baloch youths

Residents of Pasni, a coastal town in Pak-occupied-Balochistan, have staged a sit-in near Pasni Zero Point, demanding the recovery of two individuals, Dar Muhammad Shafqat and Abdul Salam Baqi, who have been forcibly disappeared. Their families and local residents have taken to the streets, blocking the highway to all traffic in a show of solidarity and frustration over the ongoing crisis of enforced disappearances in the region.

The protest has led to significant traffic disruptions, with long queues of vehicles and dozens of cars stranded due to the blockage. The demonstrators asserted that both individuals were taken into custody by Pak forces on April 13 of this year and have since been missing after being transferred to an undisclosed location. This raises grave concerns about the Paki establishment’s disregard for the rights and safety of Baloch citizens.

The protesters have demanded the immediate recovery and presentation of Dar Muhammad Shafqat and Abdul Salam Baqi, warning that their protests will intensify if their demands are not met. The occupied-authorities are accountable for their ongoing plight and they urged human rights organizations to take action and raise awareness about these injustices.

Protests Erupt Across POB

The situation in POB reflects a broader pattern of occupied-state violence against the Baloch populations, where enforced disappearances have become alarmingly common. It is a tragic reminder of the oppressive tactics employed by the Pak military and intelligence agencies to silence dissent and stifle the voices of those demanding their rights.

Protests against enforced disappearances are also taking place in three other cities across POB. In Khuzdar, families of four young men—Amanullah Muhammad Hasni, Aminullah, Irshad Ahmad, and Dawood Baloch—who disappeared earlier this month, continued their sit-in for the fifth consecutive day, alongside political and social organizations, highlighting the urgent need for accountability.

Furthermore, the protest for the recovery of two brothers, Saber Noor and Abid Noor, who vanished from Panjgur, has also entered its second day. The relatives of the missing individuals held a press conference on Tuesday, giving the administration until 2 PM to locate the brothers. Since their failure to meet this deadline, the relatives have blocked the CPEC road, demanding justice and accountability for the ongoing violations against the Baloch people by the Pak regime.

Pak Army attacks peaceful PTM gathering with tear gas and live fire

In a brazen display of repression, the Pakistan Army-backed police and ISI forces launched a violent midnight attack on the site of the Pashtun National Court in Khyber. This unprovoked crackdown targeted members of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) who had gathered peacefully to prepare for the National Court, set to take place on October 11. What was meant to be a platform for peaceful assembly and discourse quickly turned into a scene of chaos as police forces unleashed tear gas, opened fire, and dismantled tents under the cover of darkness.

Despite promises of security from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, the reality unfolded with brutal force, showing once again the Paki establishment’s disdain for Pashtun rights. Activists and supporters of the PTM, who had come to organize and advocate for peace, were instead met with violence — an all-too-familiar tactic from a occupied-state that repeatedly stifles minority voices while selectively enforcing laws to protect its own interests.

Pakistan’s crackdown on Pashtun activists

This latest assault on the Pashtun National Court site is a clear demonstration of the colonial mindset that persists within the Paki establishment. The heavy-handed tactics — using live ammunition and tear gas against unarmed civilians — echo the state’s approach toward other ethnic communities.

Pashtun activists at the scene reported that the attack came without warning, with shots fired indiscriminately into the crowds. The injured have been rushed to Peshawar’s Hayatabad Medical Complex.

The timing of this assault raises serious questions about the power dynamics within the occupied-authority. Just days before, PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen had held a detailed meeting with Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who assured full security for the event. Yet, in the face of such violence, it is clear that these promises were hollow.

A Nation at War with Itself

The events in Khyber suggest that the orders of the civilian leadership are being openly disregarded by the military and police forces. If a Chief Minister cannot control the actions of his own security forces, his authority is nothing more than a facade. This incident not only undermines Gandapur’s leadership but also exposes the deeper rot, where the military consistently operates above the law, pursuing its agenda with little regard for civilian oversight.

The violence unleashed on the Pashtun National Court gathering mirrors the broader unrest plaguing Pakistan. In Pak-occupied-Balochistan, thousands of women protest the state’s brutal tactics every day. In Punjab, there is simmering anger over electoral fraud and political disenfranchisement. Yet, instead of addressing these legitimate grievances, the Pak Army continues its cycle of violence, hoping to quash any movement that dares to question its authority.

The Pashtuns, who have long suffered under the yoke of military repression, will not be silenced. Their demands for peace, dignity, and justice will only grow louder in the face of such blatant tyranny.

Iran launches over 180 missiles at Israel, Israel & U.S. promise strong retaliation

Iran announced on Wednesday that its largest-ever missile assault on Israel had concluded, barring further provocations. This comes after Tehran launched over 180 ballistic missiles at Israeli military targets on Tuesday night, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. Despite calls for a ceasefire from the United Nations, the United States, and the European Union, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continued, raising fears of a broader regional war.

On Wednesday, Israel resumed its bombardment of Beirut’s southern suburbs, a stronghold of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. At least a dozen airstrikes hit what Israel described as Hezbollah targets, sending plumes of smoke billowing over the area. The strikes followed new evacuation orders from Israel, as the suburbs had largely emptied after days of heavy bombardment.

Hezbollah claimed it repelled Israeli forces attempting to infiltrate the Lebanese town of Adaisseh early on Wednesday, forcing them to retreat.

Iran’s ‘Defensive’ Attack

Tehran described its missile barrage as a defensive move aimed solely at Israeli military facilities, responding to recent Israeli operations that killed senior leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas. Iranian state media confirmed that three Israeli military bases were targeted in Tuesday’s attack.

“Our action is concluded unless the Israeli regime decides to invite further retaliation. In that scenario, our response will be stronger and more powerful,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) early Wednesday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed swift retaliation, declaring, “Iran made a big mistake tonight – and it will pay for it.” Netanyahu convened an emergency security cabinet meeting following the missile assault, signaling that a response was imminent.

The United States, Israel’s key ally, quickly pledged support, with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin assuring that Washington was “well-postured” to defend its interests in the Middle East. Austin confirmed that U.S. Navy warships had launched interceptors against Iranian missiles targeting Israel and promised to remain in close coordination with Israeli defense officials.

“Nearly 200 missiles were launched at Israel, and the U.S. defense coalition played a crucial role in intercepting them,” Israeli Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said. He called the missile attack a “severe and dangerous escalation.”

While Iran boasted that 90% of its missiles hit their targets, Israel claimed that most of the projectiles were intercepted. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards reported using hypersonic Fattah missiles for the first time in the conflict, signaling the sophisticated nature of the assault.

International Calls for Ceasefire

Despite calls for restraint, tensions in the region continue to mount. French President Emmanuel Macron strongly condemned Iran’s missile attack and confirmed that France had mobilized military resources in the Middle East to support Israel’s security.

At the United Nations, Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon warned that Iran would soon “feel the consequences” of its actions. “The response will be painful,” he said, while the White House echoed similar sentiments, promising “severe consequences” for Tehran.

U.S. President Joe Biden backed Israel, describing Iran’s attack as “ineffective,” but warned that the U.S. would act if necessary to defend its interests. Vice President Kamala Harris also underscored Washington’s commitment to standing by Israel, warning that Iran would face repercussions for its actions.

Israel’s ground operations in southern Lebanon, which began earlier this week, have resulted in mounting casualties. Lebanese government statistics show nearly 1,900 people killed and over 9,000 wounded in nearly a year of cross-border fighting, with most of the casualties occurring in the past two weeks.

The United Nations Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting to address the escalating conflict, while the European Union called for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further bloodshed.

Families block CPEC road in Panjgur after Pak Army abducts Baloch brothers

In a bold act of defiance, the families of two brothers abducted by Pak Army have blocked the CPEC Road in Pak-occupied-Balochistan’s Panjgur district, protesting the Pak military’s continued reign of terror in the region. The brothers, Sabir Noor and Abid, were forcibly taken into custody during a raid in the Tar Office area of Panjgur, further inflaming local resentment against the oppressive tactics of the Pak Army.

The families, along with local supporters, staged a sit-in at the Zam Zam Hotel in Panjgur’s Saradak area, bringing the crucial CPEC route to a standstill. This protest comes after a press conference earlier on Monday, where the families gave authorities until 2 p.m. to release the brothers. When no action was taken, the families followed through on their threat, blocking the road and drawing attention to the brutal tactics employed by the occupied-state.

This incident is just the latest in a long string of abductions carried out by the Pakistan Army, which has been wreaking havoc in POB for decades. The Army has systematically targeted Baloch civilians, abducting and forcibly disappearing them to show their dominance in the region. The disappearance of Sabir Noor and Abid highlights the military’s unchecked power, as local families are left helpless against the might of the Paki establishment.

Since its forceful occupation of Balochistan in 1948, the Pakistan Army has terrorized the local population, using fear and violence to suppress dissent. Today’s abductions and the subsequent protest underline the urgency of addressing the ongoing human rights abuses in the region. The continued abductions, forced disappearances, and violent crackdowns by the military are creating a climate of fear and instability, turning POB into a battleground of occupied-state-sponsored terror.

POB:Pak Army targets Baloch activists under anti-terrorism laws

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has criticized the Paki establishment for its discriminatory use of anti-terrorism laws against peaceful political activists, labeling it as both unacceptable and a reflection of the occupied-state’s oppressive tactics in Pak-occupied-Balochistan.

According to the Baloch Yakjehti Conference (BYC), the recent placement of Shaji Sighatullah, a prominent member of the organization, in the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 starkly illustrates the authoritarian and colonial mindset of the occupied-state towards the Baloch people. The BYC asserts that Shaji’s activism is fundamentally a resistance against Army policies that contribute to the ongoing genocide of the Baloch community.

The committee emphasized that under both the Pakistan’s constitution and international human rights law, every citizen is entitled to the rights of freedom of expression, movement, and peaceful assembly. They condemned the Pak Army’s efforts to equate peaceful political struggle with terrorism, asserting that such comparisons violate global democratic principles and jeopardize human lives.

Moreover, the BYC pointed out that the occupied-state’s tactics to violate the basic rights of political activists in POB serve as a calculated strategy to suppress dissent and silence legitimate grievances. The Pakistan Army has long relied on fear and violence to maintain its grip on power, using draconian laws to target those who dare to oppose its narrative.

The use of anti-terrorism legislation without substantial evidence against political activists not only breaches the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights but also amounts to systemic racism.

In light of these developments, the BYC has called upon the international community and human rights organizations to voice their concerns regarding these oppressive practices. They urge all segments of Baloch society to unite in resistance against the colonial laws imposed by the state, which aim to further marginalize the voices of the Baloch people.

Israel escalates airstrike operations, attacks Damascus

An Israeli airstrike early Tuesday has resulted in the deaths of three civilians and left nine others injured, according to Syrian state media citing a military source. The strike targeted the Syrian capital, Damascus, causing significant damage to private property.

State television reported the death of one of its presenters in the attack; however, it remains unclear if this individual is among the three civilians confirmed deceased by state media.

Furthermore, Syrian air defenses successfully intercepted “hostile targets” over Damascus three times during the night, following a series of explosions that reverberated through the capital.

When approached for comments regarding the strike, the Israeli military declined to address the situation, maintaining its policy of not commenting on foreign media reports.

Israel has been conducting strikes on Iran-linked targets in Syria for several years, a campaign that has intensified since the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israeli territory last year.

Punjab (Pak) police rearrests PTM leader Ali Wazir soon after release from Adiala prison

In a disturbing continuation of repression, former Member of the National Assembly (MNA) and prominent leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), Ali Wazir, has been arrested once again, shortly after his release from Adiala Jail. This latest arrest follows a pattern of unlawful detentions that have characterized the Paki establishment’s attempts to silence dissenting voices within the Pashtun community.

Ali Wazir was taken into custody by Punjab police and individuals in plain clothes as he exited the jail. He was transferred to an undisclosed location by the police and plainclothes personnel.

Ali Wazir was arrested again just after being released from Adiala Jail, where he had spent two months. According to local police, Ali Wazir has been transferred to Jhelum District in Punjab. The Deputy Commissioner of Jhelum District has placed Ali Wazir under detention for 15 days under Section 3 of the MPO.

Ali Wazir was initially arrested on 3 August following an accident in Islamabad. Although he managed to secure bail in three separate cases, he was subsequently arrested twice under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance.

The illegal detention of Wazir is emblematic of the occupied-state’s overarching policy of repression, aimed at quelling political consciousness and public resistance. By continuously targeting courageous leaders like Wazir, the occupied-authorities reveal their unconstitutional character and their fear of growing dissent among the Pashtun populations.

The timing of Wazir’s recent arrest raises significant concerns, as it aligns with a broader effort to suppress opposition ahead of a planned Pashtun National Court event scheduled for October 11. Authorities appear increasingly anxious about the rising influence of nationalist movements, which pose a challenge to the military’s long-held dominance in the region.

Ali Wazir’s repeated arrests serve as a grim reminder of the ongoing persecution faced by the PTM and its supporters. His situation highlights the severe risks that ordinary Pashtuns encounter when a prominent leader is victimized by the occupied-state.

Armed men attack Pakistan Army camp in Kech

In a recent escalation of violence in Pak-occupied-Balochistan, unidentified armed attackers targeted a Pak forces’ camp in the Kech district. The camp, located in the Tump Rodban area, was struck late last night, with residents reporting the sounds of heavy gunfire and explosions echoing through the region.

Although details of the attack remain unclear, and no official statement has been issued by authorities. Baloch nationalist groups, known to operate in the region, are often linked to such attacks. However, as of now, no group has claimed responsibility.

The Kech district, located in southwestern POB, has long been a hotspot for clashes between Pak forces and Baloch fighters, who have been fighting for independence since Pakistan’s forceful occupation of POB in 1948.

Death of Hezbollah chief Nasrallah, sparks violent protests near US Consulate in Karachi

Violent protests erupted in Karachi, Pakistan, on Sunday as demonstrators clashed with police while attempting to march towards the US Consulate. The unrest followed the death of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon.

The protest, organized by Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), saw a rally of around 3,000 people and participation from multiple political-religious groups. Demonstrations against Nasrallah’s killing spread across various regions of Pakistan, including Karachi, where the protests turned particularly volatile.

In an effort to control the crowd, officers resorted to lathi charges, tear gas shelling, and aerial firing. During the chaos, two police vehicles were damaged, and a motorcycle was set ablaze by the protesters. The Station House Officer (SHO) of Mach, who was critically injured by stone-pelting, was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Protesters chanted “Death to America,” while carrying posters of Nasrallah.

Sindh Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Linjar called for increased security measures to protect civilians and journalists. He emphasized the need for additional police deployment to restore order in the city.

The protests were triggered by an Israeli strike on Beirut on Friday, which resulted in the death of Nasrallah, a key Hezbollah leader. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran’s Ayatollah regime, stating that those targeting Israel would face severe consequences and that “no location” in Iran or the Middle East is “beyond Israel’s reach.”

Netanyahu referred to Nasrallah as “the main engine of Iran’s axis of evil,” asserting that Nasrallah was not just another terrorist, but the architect behind Iran’s plans to destroy Israel.

Pak Army abducts Baloch youth who was a victim of Pasni attack

In a fresh wave of violence in Pak-occupied-Balochistan, two civilians were critically injured when unidentified armed motorcyclists opened fire in the coastal town of Pasni. One of the victims, Doda Nasir, who was previously abducted and later recovered, is reported to be in serious condition. The attack took place in Bangla Bazaar, where Nasir and another man, Riaz, were sitting at Nasir Service when they were targeted. Both men were rushed to Pak Oman Hospital, where Nasir’s condition remains critical.

This attack is part of a disturbing pattern in the region. Doda Nasir is not the only individual who has been targeted after being forcibly disappeared and later recovered. This is the second or third such incident to occur recently, raising alarm over the occupied-state’s actions in POB. Individuals who go missing under mysterious circumstances, at the hands of Pak Army and intelligence agencies, are later targeted in life-threatening attacks.

Balochistan has long been a battleground for resistance against the Pak military’s oppressive regime. Since the forceful occupation of Balochistan in 1948, the Army has employed brutal tactics to suppress dissent, including the infamous “kill and dump” policy. Under this policy, abducted individuals are murdered, and their bodies are discarded to send a message to those who dare resist. This latest attack on Doda Nasir highlights how deeply entrenched these tactics have become.