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Hijab is the flag of Islamists: Yasmine Mohammed

Vivek Sinha
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Hijab is the flag of Islamists: Yasmine Mohammed

Hijab is in news across India. It all started when a Karnataka college denied entry to girls wearing hijab and said that all students adhere to a uniform dress code. This simple administrative decision of the college has now snowballed into a major controversy. Yasmine Mohammed, author of ‘Unveiled’ and women rights activist explains why extremist men force Hijab on women. In this interview with Vivek Sinha, Editor-in-Chief News Intervention she clarifies that Hijab perpetuates rape culture by encouraging victim-blaming and slut-shaming.

Vivek Sinha: Does Islam mandate that Muslim women ‘Must’ necessarily wear a Hijab/Burqa? Several progressive Muslims say that no Quranic verse mandates Hijab/Burqa. Your comments.

Yasmine Mohammed: There is no verse in the Quran or edict in Hadith that mandates a woman to cover her hair in the way that is commonly described as hijab. These demands that women dress a certain way– covering their hair, in some cases even covering their face– these are all man made ideas to control women. There is no religious justification. The Hadith describe so many things in detail, down to the minutiae. There are Hadith on the proper way to cut fingernails. If Allah or Mohammed thought it was so important for women to dress a certain way, then that would be clear in Islamic scripture.

Vivek Sinha: Is there any authentic Hadith that requires Muslim women to put on a Hijab? If yes, what are they? If not, then please let us know why is Hijab forced upon Muslim women?

Yasmine Mohammed: No, there is not. Hijab is forced on women by extremist men who are also viciously misogynist. They preach that a woman must cover herself so as to not tempt men to harass her. That is called victim-blaming, a toxic mindset that excuses men for their crimes. Imran Khan of Pakistan made that clear when he blamed the exponential number of rapes of women in Pakistan on the victims themselves instead of the criminal men– he said that these rapes happen because women are not observing hijab properly. This idea that women are responsible for the actions of men is irrational and disgusting. Barbaric men harass and rape girls and women regardless of what the women are wearing. They even harass women in Hajj- in Allah’s house. As long as their crimes are excused and blamed on their victims, they have no reason to do any introspection or any progress of their mindsets. It allows them to continue to control women.

Cartoon depicting the use of veil to control women.

Vivek Sinha: A very large section of Indian Muslims are saying that Muslim women must be free to choose what kind of dress they wish to wear. They apply this logic to Hijab and Burqa as well. Slogans such as “My Body My Choice” are being raised in favour of Hijab and Burqa. Your comments.

Yasmine Mohammed: This is a simplistic reduction of the situation. The word “choice” here is being used in a duplicitous manner. Hijab is not considered a choice by extremists. If it were indeed a choice we would not have countless stories of women being disowned by their families, disfigured with acid, imprisoned, and even killed over hijab. These are not isolated cases. Women in Iran, Canada, Germany, Italy, UK, all over the world have been killed– sometimes beheaded– by their family over hijab. Pretending it is a choice is a damning betrayal and insult to the memories of all those women.

Vivek Sinha: In your book “Unveiled” you have said that forcing Hijab on young girls is a way to Empower Radical Islam. Please explain your views to the audience in the Indian subcontinent.

Yasmine Mohammed: Hijab is not imposed on girls in families of open-minded Muslims who understand the values of equality and feminism and basic human rights. It is only forced on the heads of little girls from extremist families. That is why hijab is often called “the flag of Islamists”. They put the flag on the heads of women to assert their distinction from the rest of society. These are not people who are interested in coexisting seamlessly with the greater society around them. 

Yasmine Mohammed’s ‘Unveiled’ is an insightful book that describes how Islamist radicals play psychological games to control a woman’s mind and body.

Vivek Sinha: Feminists in India, who should have sided with Muslim women who refuse to put on Hijab, are arguing that Muslim girls and women must be allowed to wear hijab as mandated by Islam. Your comments.

Yasmine Mohammed: This is a vicious betrayal of their own values. I wonder if they would also argue that women need to light themselves on fire when their husband’s die because it is religious. Do they also insist that a young girl’s clitoris be removed with a razor because it is religious? Religion is full of so much archaic, barbaric misogyny and the whole purpose of feminism is to progress society past these inequalities. For so-called feminists to support these things is a most vile betrayal of women and of feminism.

Vivek Sinha: Do you think Hijab is a symbol of patriarchy and oppression? Please comment.

Yasmine Mohammed: Yes, I absolutely believe it is. Hijab is the tip of the iceberg. It is only the physical representation of the misogyny and dehumanization and subjugation that all sits under the surface. It perpetuates rape culture by encouraging victim-blaming and slut-shaming. It separates humanity. It separates women by identifying them as subordinate to men. And it separates women by identifying women without hijab as subordinate to those with hijab. It is a tool of misogyny and subordination.

Vivek Sinha: Taliban has supported Hijab for Karnataka girls. How do you read this development?

Yasmine Mohammed: I think it is very telling that the Taliban are supporting the women of Karnataka. An extremist, terrorist group that is known for dehumanizing women by forcing them in a cloth prison, a group that has murdered women for such offences as leaving the home uncovered or for protesting against hijab– is now supporting the women who proudly uphold this tool of opression and patriarchy. Unfortunately, women support their own subjugation all the time. Mothers force their daughters in to child marriages, women perform FGM (female genital mutilation) on little girls, the list is depressingly long. And when they do, they are heralded and applauded by misogynist men who want nothing more for these women to remain in their indoctrinated stupor so they can continue their tyrannical control. 

Dr. Allah Nazar remembers Shaheed Rahmat Khan aka Hakim Jan

Feroz Baloch
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Dr. Allah Nazar remembers Shaheed Rahmat Khan aka Hakim Jan

All of us tend to fall weak sometimes. It happens to everyone. We may think that some people are immune to it, but that is not true. It happens to everyone: Men, women, children, and the elderly. But when you feel vulnerable, you show strength during the most difficult times. We all know Shaheed Rahmat Khan as a man of dignity who stood firm and did his duty, putting his cause on top priority. He had a great sense of humor and satire, a leader and a commanding figure among his comrades. He’s the man we are familiar with but he had a brave woman, his wife Lumma (Abida), behind him who supported him no matter the circumstances. Consequently, her two young sons were also martyred, and yet she continued to live with a smile that hid all her pain. Abida’s courage is a hope for the Baloch nation.

“Shaheed Hakim Jan started his political career as an ordinary activist, garnering public support for the Baloch cause and started facilitating Baloch sarmarchaars (freedom fighters) with ration and equipment. Hakim Jan was always ready for us,” remembers Dr. Allah Nazar. “Even if I write a book, it may not describe the man he was. We are of the same age, only one week apart. He and I went to the same school in Jebri (Mashkay) until matriculation then I went to Gajjar, while he stayed there, say Dr. Nazar. “He, as a brother, was always there for me. He nursed me in my sickness when I was released from the ordeal of Pakistani torture chambers. His financial support to me and the organization has been immense.

Dr Allah Nazar Baloch is the revered leader of Balochistan, who is spearheading Balochistan's freedom struggle.
Dr Allah Nazar Baloch is the revered leader of Balochistan, who is spearheading Balochistan’s freedom struggle.

Dr Allah Nazar recalled that Hakim Jan was a brother, who was always there for him. “He nursed me in my sickness when I was released from the ordeal of Pakistani torture chambers. His financial support to me and the organization has been immense. He was a patriot and a hardcore nationalist. He had a poetic temperament. We used to be together all the time, just separated during study intervals. He often made fun of all of us, but his jokes were very meaningful. We laughed instead of being angry.”

“Hakim’s words and jokes were the cure for my depression and hyper-anxiety. He started his political struggle in 2002. He worked with Chairman Ghulam Mohammad and Dr. Mannan for years. After many years he left BNM and joined BLF to mark the story of his braveness on the battlefields. Being a combat commander he handled inter-organizational politics very well,” explained Dr Allah Nazar.

Dr. Allah Nazar further added that Hakim Jan had a unique habit that all across Balochistan, if anyone was martyred, he couldn’t sit in peace until attacking and inflicting losses to the Pakistani forces. “He always promised to all the martyrs that he will sacrifice himself along with his children to avenge their unjust deaths. Indeed, he kept his promise and sacrificed himself, his children, and everything he had. Dr Allah Nazar reminisces that Shaheed Rahmat contributed a lot but never boasted like others. “He was a true soldier and a seasoned guerrilla who never cared about credit. Due to his simplicity, sincerity, bravery, honesty, and abilities, he became a commander soon after joining the guerrilla camp. He led more than 60 soldiers. He divided his combat soldiers into two wings and handled both separately.”

Shaheed Rahmat Khan, also known as Hakim Jan, was a brilliant Baloch commander. He embraced martyrdom while fighting the Pakistani SSG Commandos and local death squads on Jan 21, 2015. (Photo: News Intervention)

Dr. Allah Nazar added that Hakim Jan stood in front of enemies like a mountain. “On every battlefield, he defeated the enemies. Whether the enemy was the Pakistani Army or its local death squad, he fought them fiercely and fearlessly. He was a beacon of hope for us. His prime quality was that he knew how to handle people. He was never worried about himself but always took care of his friends, even if he had to face bullets. He always went first. He bought good stuff and high-quality arms and bikes for the guerrilla camps.”

Dr. Allah Nazar revealed that “…Rahmat was the first in our movement who took his children and made them work for the organization. Even though he loved his kids more than anything else yet he was ready to sacrifice everything for Balochistan. After his martyrdom, BLF made his elder son Farhad (alias Hoshaam) as the commander of 60+ guerrillas. Farhad was martyred in Mehi with Shayhak Jan, Safar Khan, and 13 others. Pakistan Army didn’t even hand over Farhad’s body to his family. No one knows whether he was injured and arrested by the army or martyred. Earlier, Rahmat Khan’s younger 15 years old son Meraj Baloch was shot dead by the Pakistan Army in Mashkay.”

Today Hakim Jan’s entire family is in the struggle for freedom of Balochistan. Two of his sons were martyred, one of his sons got injured in a battle, and one of his seven years old son Meer Jaan died due to an illness because Pakistani forces didn’t allow his family to avail good medical facility. “Neither his wife Abida has any regrets nor his friends. Because Shaheed Rahmat was a revolutionary who had known very well what line of work he was in and mentally prepared his family for what they might face. Abida says that only two of her sons remain but I am ready to sacrifice them whenever our motherland Balochistan requires. I will happily send them as well.”

Dr. Allah Nazar explained that several people joined our cause because of Rahmat and his children. “They were inspired by Rahmat Khan and his family’s contributions and sacrifices. Rahmat’s inspired soldiers are still fighting in the mountains, and many of them were martyred too.” Dr. Allah Nazar said that Rahmat used to say we are brothers, we are cohorts, but when it comes to the motherland I won’t tolerate any mistakes; if I ever see any action that is negatively affecting our organization or motherland, I will not show leniency. He always wanted progress. Every time his harsh criticism led us towards betterment. He expressed desire regarding the movement shortly before his martyrdom. He said we should resolve our differences and internal rifts with mutual consent.

Remembering that the atmosphere at that time was like all the armed organizations were thirsty for each other’s blood. Shaheed Hakim said that we should end our differences, consolidate our power against the enemy and defeat it. His wish was to unite all the armed organizations under a new umbrella organization namely Baloch Army (BA). But unfortunately, his dream was never realized and he was martyred on the battlefield.

Shaheed Hakim said, “Our aim should be to fight the enemy, no matter under what name, we are all one.” He hated the negative propaganda that was being spewed against each other. The character of Shaheed Hakim and his resolve can be gauged by the fact that, whenever some disgruntled soldier of BLF came to Shaheed Hakim to hand over his gun, he would say, “Go to someone else. I’m not going to take it”. They usually went to Shaheed Shayhak to hand over their guns. Many of those friends are still fighting; some of them have surrendered and are with the enemy; some have been martyred. Shaheed Gulzaman was one of them.

Those cowards, who surrendered, have become Baloch national traitors now. Their hands are stained with the blood of the Baloch people. They are involved in the arrest of Baloch mothers and sisters. It has become their job to loot houses and burn them down. “Rahmat aka Hakim was martyred on January 21, 2015 while fighting against Pakistan Army’s SSG commandos and local death squads. He got the news that our comrades have been surrounded by them. He took Commander Shayhak and went to the battlefield. They killed more than twenty SSG commandos and snatched their gun and 7 bikes. After hours of the fight, they fired on commander Shayhak and Hakim. Hakim stood bravely and fired back on them, and was shot in the chest. He laughed and told Shayhak, “I got shot.” Shayhak said, may Allah forbid please don’t make such jokes. He then lay down and Shayhak put his head on his lap. Hakim was martyred,” Dr Allah Nazar explained the sequence of events that led to Hakim Jan’s martyrdom.

Dr. Allah Nazar added that the Baloch nation has lost a great hero, a great guerrilla commander, and a great leader. “Till now no one has been able to replace him. His place will always remain vacant. I believe Hakim Jan’s ideology of an independent and prosperous Balochistan will live forever and the only way to honor his wishes is to struggle for a Free Balochistan. No one can stop this struggle.”

Secular Connexion Séculière on the Special Humanitarian Assistance Program for Afghan Nationals

Scott Douglas Jacobsen
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Secular Connexion Séculière on the Special Humanitarian Assistance Program for Afghan Nationals

Doug Thomas is the President of Secular Connexion Séculière. Here we talk about the Special Humanitarian Assistance Program for Afghan Nationals in Canada.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen: What were the first realizations of the need to change the Special Humanitarian Assistance Program for Afghan Nationals?

Doug Thomas: SCS was working on getting clarification of Canada’s Less Complex Claims refugee policy that favours religious refugee applicants over atheists, apostates and other non-believers when Afghanistan was overrun by the Taliban. This puts many freethinking Afghans at risk and needing to apply for refugee status from countries like Canada. We were already working with the members of the coalition on e-petition #3638, realized that Canada’s Special Humanitarian Assistance Program for Afghan Nationals carried on with the bias toward religious refugee applicants. By the way, petition e-3638 as read in the House of Commons on February 8th so Minister Fraser has until March 25th to respond to it.

Jacobsen: What is the status of atheists and apostates in current Afghanistan?

Thomas: Under the Afghan constitution that Canada defended during the 11 years we had troops fighting the Taliban, the only legal religion is Islam. Even under the former regime, Christians, Jews, and non-believers were tolerated, but only because the regime wanted to maintain good aid relations with other countries. Atheists and apostates are now in grave danger since the Taliban does not seem to care about any relationships with other countries and is committed to absolute Sharia law including killing infidels (atheists) and apostates. Of course, this makes it difficult for atheists and apostates to even leave the country because the Taliban would rather execute them. In any case, they have to travel to Pakistan, a country that doesn’t look kindly on them either, but is at least aware that ticking off the West is not good for trade. This makes it even more important that Canada’s Special Humanitarian Program for Afghan nationals include atheists and apostates.

Jacobsen: As Canada’s policy “fails to meet Article 18 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which enshrines the observance and promotion of ‘freedom of religion or belief’,” what is the simplest change the federal government can do to meet the requirements of international human rights here?

Thomas: As we have requested, Canada’s policy must be changed to include atheists and apostates in the Special Humanitarian Program for Afghan Nationals. Otherwise, Canada’s immigration and refugee policies do not meet the spirit of our own Charter of Rights and Freedoms that guarantees the right to freedom from religion in addition to not meeting UN standards. This is a policy change and can be made at the ministerial level without changing legislation. Then it must be sent out to Canada’s immigration officers and proxy immigration officers (foreign officers that represent Canada where we do not have embassies or consulates) so they understand that the change has been made.

Jacobsen: How can individuals keep informed and updated on this and other policies at Secular Connexion Séculière?

Thomas: We try to keep information updated on our website www.secularconnexion.ca under the Federal Campaign menu item. Recently, we have start posting a notification bulletin called Now! Maintenant! on the website that gives people direct access to what is going on now. People who subscribe to SCS also get a monthly bulletin (restarting this month) to keep them informed.

Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Doug.

Thomas: Thanks for the opportunity to update our progress with the federal government and with our Canadian and international allies.

Photo by Benoit Debaix on Unsplash

Panjgur & Nushki: How 16 Baloch fidayeens crushed the ‘mighty’ Pak Army

Vivek Sinha
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Panjgur & Nushki: How 16 Baloch fidayeens crushed the ‘mighty’ Pak Army

Three Days. Seventy Two Hours.
Yes that’s the time Pakistan Army took to wrest back its own military bases in Balochistan from sixteen Baloch revolutionaries. In their battle against Pakistani regime, these sixteen Baloch freedom fighters did not choose a soft target, rather they attacked military bases swarming with elite SSG Commandos and combatants with automatic weapons.

On paper the Baloch Liberation Army’s (BLA) plan to attack and then hold on to the Frontier Corps (FC) bases in Pakistan-occupied Balochistan (POB) would have appeared too ambitious. The odds were stacked heavily against BLA fidayeens. The perception, however, changed on February 2 when news came in that BLA had easily captured FC military bases in Panjgur and Nushki. What followed over the next three days was an unending saga of bravery and raw courage of theBaloch revolutionaries that relegated Pakistan Army as loud-mouthed paper tigers.

ISPR (Inter-Services Public Relations) with its theatrics and Pakistan Army with sophisticated weapons, gunship helicopters, combat drones, SSG Commandos, tanks and fighter jets appeared clueless against a handful highly motivated Baloch patriots.

How else can one describe and explain the incompetence of Pakistanis who were grappling in the dark for three days to wrest back their own military base. The famed Pakistani SSG Commandos were so naïve that oftentimes they were firing on Pakistani soldiers held hostage by BLA Majeed Brigade.

It ended on February 5 with the martyrdom of all sixteen Baloch revolutionaries and over 195 Pakistani soldiers killed. Of these, around 90 Pakistani soldiers that included 55 Frontier Corps personnel, 18 SSG Commandos and 7 Elite Commandos were killed in the Battle of Nushki. Around 105 Pakistani soldiers were neutralized in the Battle of Panjgur, which includes 85 Frontier Corps personnel and 20 SSG Commandos. During the battle, Pakistani military drones and combat helicopters were also shot down.

The sixteen Baloch bravehearts who captured Pakistan Army's military bases in Panjgur and Nushki on Feb 2, 2022. Pakistan Army's SSG Commandos, gunship helicopters and heavily armed combat units took 3 days to wrest back their military bases from these sixteen BLA Fidayeens. (Photo: BLA Media Cell)
The sixteen Baloch bravehearts who captured Pakistan Army’s military bases in Panjgur and Nushki on Feb 2, 2022. Pakistan Army’s SSG Commandos, gunship helicopters and heavily armed combat units took 3 days to wrest back their military bases from these sixteen BLA Fidayeens. (Photo: BLA Media Cell)

Statistics apart, it’s the psychological victory that has provided a fresh impetus to Balochistan’s freedom struggle. The much-hyped SSG Commandos, Elite Commandos and the Frontier Corps combatants of Pakistan Army were scurrying for cover when challenged by the BLA fidayeens.

BLA released audio clips of their fidayeens making fun of the cowardice of SSG Commandos who, despite being armed to the teeth, fled away from the battle scene leaving their injured buddies at the mercy of Baloch revolutionaries. On the other hand BLA fidayeens sounded relaxed and at ease fighting the entire battalion of Pakistan Army.

BLA Majeed Brigade commando briefing the ground situation from Panjgur military base camp. (Photo: BLA Media Cell)
BLA Majeed Brigade commando briefing the ground situation from Panjgur military base camp. (Photo: BLA Media Cell)

The frontline combatants of Pakistan Army understand that they are used only as cannon fodder and sent to die in ignominy by the Rawalpindi generals. On the contrary, those sixteen BLA fidayeens knew that their martyrdom will be celebrated by entire Baloch population and songs of their sacrifices will be sung by generations to come. It’s this high moral ground that transformed into raw courage and led those sixteen Baloch to successfully challenge the entire Pakistan Army for seventy two hours.

These self-sacrificing Baloch fidayeens were not some indoctrinated Islamist radicals who had been led into a suicidal attack with bogus promise of 72 virgins and never ending luxuries of after-life in paradise. The Majeed Brigade fidayeens of BLA were Baloch patriots who undertook a well calibrated mission to draw world’s attention about Balochistan’s ongoing freedom struggle and Pakistan’s barbarism on unarmed hapless Baloch civilians.

Jeeyand Baloch, spokesperson of BLA explained that the main objective of this high-intensity operation was to show the military capabilities of Baloch resistance movement to Pakistan and to the entire world.

“Baloch Liberation Army values human lives and we do not find happiness in ending any life. If Pakistan, instead of bloodshed and carnage, opts for peace then we in the presence of an international guarantor invite Pakistan to the negotiation table. We are ready for negotiations on agendas of secure withdrawal of Pakistani forces from Balochistan and complete independence of our motherland. However, If Pakistani military is hell-bent on violence then we warn it with clear words that our next attacks will be much harsher and we will go to any extent for defending our homeland. We have the full capability of taking this war to any part of Pakistan,” explained Jeeyand Baloch in clear terms.

The moot question is does the world know about genocide, cold blooded murders and rapes across Balochistan? Does the haloed United Nations even bother to pull up the Pakistani regime about its war crimes in occupied Balochistan? Have we heard any of the 5-star human rights organizations/activists make any effort to travel to Balochistan and report about Pakistani regime’s war crimes? The answer is a big NO.

In 2021, Pakistan Army launched 600 military operations against unarmed Baloch civilians and abducted over 650. More than 300 dead bodies of Baloch, killed in cold blood, were recovered from various parts of Balochistan. Over one thousand Baloch homes were set ablaze while another 1900 Baloch homes were looted by this “brave” Pakistan Army. And these figures are merely for the last year.

Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) has data of around 72,000 Baloch, who were abducted and ‘enforced disappeared’ during the last two decades. Thousands of Baloch continue to be ‘killed and dumped’ by the Pakistani forces. Yet the civilized world continues to sleep. The information about Balochistan has been relegated to ISI/ ISPR handouts, which effectively means deliberate spread of misinformation and disinformation.

A civilization, howsoever peace loving it may be, is forced to rebel and pick up arms when all it sees is naked violence with no one caring for its wails and travails. BLA’s February 2 attacks on Pakistan Army’s military camps at Panjgur and Nushki must be read in this backdrop.

Pent-up anger against ongoing Pakistani atrocities on Baloch people was the most lethal weapon present in the arsenal of each of these sixteen BLA fidayeens. It was this fury that led BLA to carry out the biggest attack against Pakistani regime in Balochistan’s seven decades of freedom struggle.

In response, Pakistan Army launched, yet again, an information blackout across occupied Balochistan issuing strict diktats to local media against reporting on Panjgur and Nushki attacks. A pliant Pakistani media relayed only the ISPR’s version of BLA attack.

Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa should know. Mainstream media organisations are no longer the sole source of information. Narrative is set by new age mediums, which includes social media and digital media platforms. And so the truth about Battle of Panjgur and Battle of Nushki slowly trickled down.

Paeans will be sung in honour of the gallant sixteen Baloch revolutionaries. History will remember Pakistan Army for their barbarism on unarmed civilians and their cowardice when faced with a handful of well-armed Baloch revolutionaries in the Battle of Panjgur & Nushki.

BLA Majeed Brigade kills 195 Pak Army soldiers in Panjgur & Nushki

News Intervention Bureau
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BLA Majeed Brigade kills 195 Pak Army soldiers in Panjgur & Nushki

Sixteen Majeed Brigade Fidayeens (self-sacrificing unit) of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) eliminated around two hundred Pakistani soldiers in twin attacks at Panjgur and Nushki military bases. The BLA, in its statement, said that the sixteen Baloch freedom fighters (fidayeens) who participated in ‘Operation Ganjal’ battled bravely against the SSG commandos, gunship helicopters, military drones and heavily armed Pakistan Army soldiers for around 72 hours (3 days). The Pakistan Army could secure its Frontier Corps (FC) military bases at Panjgur and Nushki from sixteen Baloch Fidayeen sarmachaars only after heavy losses, both the lives of its soldiers and a big loss of face.

“More than 90 enemy personnel (Pakistani soldiers), including approximately 55 personnel of Frontier Corps, 18 SSG Commandos and 7 Elite Commandos were killed in Noshki, whereas at least 105 enemy personnel (Pakistani soldiers) were neutralized in Panjgur. This includes 85 personnel of Frontier Corps and 20 SSG Commandos. During the battle a military drone was shot, whereas a helicopter was also targeted,” said Jeeyand Baloch, Spokesperson Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).

Operation Ganjal

BLA’s Operation Ganjal began at 8 PM (local time) on February 2, 2022 with sixteen highly trained Fidayeens (self-sacrificing unit) of its Majeed Brigade simultaneously attacking the Frontier Corps (FC) military bases in Nushki and Panjgur in Pakistan-occupied Balochistan (POB). Nine BLA Fidayeens were involved in the Nushki attack, whereas seven Fidayeens took part in the Panjgur attack. These Fidayeens took control of Nushki and Panjgur Pakistan Army camps and eliminated more than 195 Pakistani personnel and injured several more. Three Pakistan Army officers were also killed.

“Operation Ganjal is named after martyr Ganjal alias Comrade Mazar of Lyari Karachi. Ganjal, commander of BLA in Kalat region, was also a Fidayeen. He was not only to take part in Nushki and Panjgur operations but was also nominated as its operational commander. However, on the 24th September 2021 he along with five Baloch freedom fighters embraced martyrdom while defending organisation’s camp in Kalat,” explained Jeeyand Baloch.

Pakistan Army has imposed a complete communication blockade and strict curfew in Panjgur and Nushki to save it from international embarrassment. Yet somehow this video of a Pakistani drone being shot down by BLA revolutionaries found its way out of Pakistan-occupied Balochistan (POB).

BLA further added in its statement that the main objective of Operation Ganjal was not only to show occupying Pakistani state, but also to the entire world the military capabilities of Baloch resistance movement. “This operation confirms the fact that Baloch youth can go to any extent to achieve Balochistan’s national liberation. Baloch freedom movement is a homegrown movement, and its power sources lie within Baloch public. All Baloch Fidayeens involved in Operation Ganjal were educated Baloch youth who were born in Balochistan and were following the philosophy of General Aslam Baloch who died defending the motherland. It should now be clear that this freedom movement cannot be weakened by any changes in the neighboring countries or by being labeled as a proxy movement,” detailed the BLA statement.

Jeeyand Baloch further added that Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) values human lives and “…we do not find happiness in ending any life. If Pakistan, instead of bloodshed and carnage, opts for peace then we in the presence of an international guarantor invite Pakistan to the negotiation table. We are ready for negotiations on agendas of secure withdrawal of Pakistani forces from Balochistan and complete independence of our motherland.”

BLA Majeed Brigade commando briefing the ground situation from Panjgur military base camp. (Photo: BLA Media Cell)
BLA Majeed Brigade Fidayeen briefing the ground situation from Panjgur military base camp. (Photo: BLA Media Cell)

“However, if Pakistani military is hell-bent on violence then we warn it with clear words that our next attacks will be much harsher and we will go to any extent to defend our homeland. We have the full capability of taking this war to any part of Pakistan,” added Jeeyand Baloch, Spokesperson Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).

“We also want to tell the people of Punjab that you should not let the military generals use your children as cannon fodder in their wars. Pressurize your military to withdraw. Your military, in order to strengthen its occupation of Balochistan, is involved in Bangladesh style crimes including Baloch genocide, rape and plundering of Baloch resources. We also once again warn China to refrain from aiding Pakistan in looting Baloch resources and strengthening occupation of our motherland or else their interests will once again be at our target,” reads the BLA statement without mincing words.

Battle of Nushki

Operation Ganjal started at 8 PM (local time) on February 2, 2022 when two different units of BLA Majeed Brigade targeted Nushki and Panjgur headquarters of Pakistani Frontier Core (FC) simultaneously. The attack started when Fidayeen Meerain Jamaldani (alias Zagrain of Nushki) detonated his vehicle borne improvised explosive device at the gates of Nushki camp. This blast killed all Pakistani troops stationed at the entrance of the camp. Later under the leadership of Unit Commander Fidayeen Badil Baloch (alias Riyasat of Hoshaab), the remaining Fidayeens entered the enemy camp. These Fidayeens included Aziz Zehri (alias Barag of Khuzdar), Aneel Baloch (alias Balaach of Dasht Turbat), Muraad Aajo (alias Baba of Panjgur), Yasir Noor (alias Saif of Alandor Bulaida), Ibraheem Baloch (alias Kabeer of Gichk), Deedag Bahar (alias Rauf of Shapuk Turbat) and Bilal Baloch (alias Wahid) of Tejaban Kech.

Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) Majeed Brigade revolutionaries who attained martyrdom fighting the Pakistan Army at Nushki. (Photo: BLA Media Cell)
Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) Majeed Brigade revolutionaries who attained martyrdom fighting the Pakistan Army at Nushki. (Photo: BLA Media Cell)

The BLA Fidayeens (self-sacrificing unit) in Nushki killed 90 Pakistani soldiers, including two officers and destroyed a major part of Pakistan’s military camp. Dozens of Pakistani personnel were also injured.

Battle of Panjgur

At the same time on February 2, 2022 another self-sacrificing unit of BLA attacked the Panjgur military base of Pakistan Army. Just like the Nushki attack, the BLA Fidayeen Jamal Baloch (alias Chacha of Turbat) detonated his VBIED (vehicle-borne improvised explosive device) at the main entrance of Frontier Corp military camp in Pangjur. The blast destroyed the front part of the camp and killed all Pakistani soldiers present at the entrance.

BLA Unit Commander Hamid Raheem (alias Zubair of Chitkan Panjgur), Fidayeen Sami Sameer (alias Shoaib of Panjgur), Iliyas Baloch (alias Qadir of Gramkan Panjgur), Asad Wahag (alias Sabzo of Keelkor), Nasir Imam (alias Hamal of Parom) and Zameer Baloch (alias Faraz of Dandaar Hoshaap) entered inside the Panjgur base camp. The remaining Pakistani personnel, instead of facing the Baloch Fidayeens, fled the camp.

Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) Majeed Brigade revolutionaries who attained martyrdom fighting the Pakistan Army at Panjgur. (Photo: BLA Media Cell)

“The objective of Panjgur unit was to take control of the enemy’s camp for maximum time possible. After enemy’s escape Baloch Fidayeens took control of the whole camp. Pakistani forces used its ground troops, including Special Services Group (SSG) Commandos and even gunship helicopters to take back the control of the camp. The enemy forces with the SSG Commandos, armoured vehicles and gunship helicopters made five large attempts to gain control. However, the BLA Fidayeens repulsed each and every attack and inflicted heavy losses upon the enemy. For 72 hours the Fidayeens managed to successfully defend their positions while fighting against elite Pakistani military units. After ground attempts were a failure, Pakistani gunship helicopters started heavy bombardment on the positions of BLA Fidayeens and after a long heroic resistance all Fidayeens embraced martyrdom,” Jeeyand Baloch, BLA Spokesperson gave a detailed account of the Panjgur attack and the fight back by Majeed Brigade Fidayeens.

BRAS (Baloch Raji Ajoi Sangar) the umbrella organisation of different Baloch revolutionary groups had extended full support to Operation Ganjal. “This major, complex and strong attack not only shows the extent to which Baloch nation can go for its independence, but also highlights the importance and benefits of united and consolidated power of resistance,” BLA said in its statement.

BLA rejects ISPR (Inter-Services Public Relations) lies

BLA rejected ISPR statements in toto. “We consider it as a bundle of lies. Pakistani military is hiding its dead bodies due to internal pressure and embarrassment it has suffered on international platform,” BLA said confidently.

The sixteen BLA Majeed Brigade Fidayeens brought down Pakistan Army to its knees and these 72 hour Battle of Pajgur and Battel of Nushki will go remembered by generations to come. BLA resisted a much powerful military and valiantly fought the longest battle in modern Balochistan history. “Baloch nation, history and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) will never forget the ultimate sacrifices of these valiant Fidayeens. A new dawn will emerge from the sacrifices of martyrs and Baloch national emancipation will soon become a reality,” announced Jeeyand Baloch.

Pakistani SSG commandoes are afraid of us: BLA Majeed Brigade

News Intervention Bureau
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Pakistani SSG commandoes are afraid of us: BLA Majeed Brigade

The Panjgur Frontier Corps (FC) military base of Pakistan Army continues to be under the control of Baloch Liberation Army’s (BLA) Majeed Brigade (self-sacrifice unit), 38 hours after BLA’s attack at around 8PM (local time) on February 2.

BLA in latest statement has said that more than 70 Pakistan Army soldiers have been killed at Panjgur. This number is expected to increase as BLA Majeed Brigade continue to hold on the base and are targeting Pakistanis soldiers. More than 100 Pakistani soldiers were killed by BLA Majeed Brigade at Nushki military camp of the Frontier Corps (FC). BLA’s Nushki operation was successfully completed on February 3, but the Panjgur operation is still under way.

Baloch Liberation Army has released the transcript of telephonic talk by Majeed Brigade commando, from inside the Panjgur base camp, detailing the ground scenario to BLA’s core commander at another location in occupied Balochistan.

BLA Core Commander (asks the Majeed Brigade commando): What is the ground situation, and how are you?
BLA Majeed Brigade Commando (speaking from inside the Panjgur base camp of Pakistan Army): We are fine. We entered the Frontier Corps (FC) headquarters at Panjgur on February 2.  Today it is the 4th Feb and we have completed 27 hours and the whole situation is under our control. We have won the war in our favour and have repulsed the enemy (Pakistan) in such a way that they are afraid to come before us. Helicopters have fired rockets and mortar shells at Panjgur Bazaar this evening, which may have fallen in Panjgur bazaar.

Later, some armoured vehicles tried to enter our compound, but they were targeted by our comrades. In these armoured vehicles were three (Pakistan Army) SSG commandoes, out of which two were killed by the comrades while the third one managed to escape. Armoured vehicles were also targeted and occupied by BLA comrades.

The enemy (Pakistan) has retreated so much that we have completed 27 hours but they are still afraid to face us. SSG commandoes are also afraid to come forward. The morale of our comrades is high and the situation is under control. No matter whatever tactics the enemy (Pakistan) uses, our spirits are high and we will keep the situation under control. Such tactics are not a problem for us. We are soldiers of the glorious brigade of Balochistan.

We will try to continue this war tonight, it is already 1 AM beyond midnight, and the enemy (Pakistan) has still been unable to retrieve the bodies of their fallen soldiers. We will adjust our strategy according to tactics of the enemy force.

Let the Baloch nation see that we are deep inside the enemy’s (Pakistan Army) cantonment. Despite thousands of personnel, we have made the enemy (Pakistan) helpless such that they are shelling mortars on their own base camps, sometimes in the bazaar and sometimes in the surrounding areas.

Our spirits are high and we will continue with this fight. Everyone should try to sacrifice more than their means for the land. We are witnessing the times of a powerful army and today we are strongly entrenched deep inside their stronghold which is also the regional base of ISI.

We can see the enemy personnel (Pakistani soldiers) running from one door to the other taking cover which shows their fear.

We are hopeful that Balochistan will carry on with its fight for independence in the best possible way in the future. Baloch will continue the  struggle for independence by contributing more than they  share.

Time to search for a less harmful cigarette

Shantanu Guha Ray
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Time to search for a less harmful cigarette

Heated tobacco products are meant to heat tobacco without burning it or producing smoke but are they effective on cigarette smoking and health?

In 2016 the popularity of heated tobacco products soared in Japan after the release of an electronic device called IQOS. Heated tobacco products are all over the world but scientists often ask if these are actually effective.

I found an interesting paper that covered data from 11 studies with more than 2,600 people. And the result of the studies was that people who switched from cigarettes to heated tobacco had lower levels of exposure to harmful chemicals than those who kept smoking, but higher levels of these toxins than those who stopped using tobacco altogether.

Now this lower exposure was found across a number of harmful substances linked to cancers, heart disease and respiratory problems. In short, this means switching from cigarettes to heated tobacco could reduce the odds of developing these diseases.

But do we have enough data to be sanguine. Across the world, all studies are of relatively short duration. So to genuinely understand tobacco-related diseases one needs to push in long drawn studies because it typically takes a while for people to develop tobacco-related diseases. And as long as that does not happen, no one will vouch for these short-term studies. 

But one thing is abundantly clear: The evidence shows how uniquely dangerous smoking is. Cigarettes kill half of all regular smokers who inhale toxic chemicals made by burning tobacco. Heated tobacco products are designed to avoid burning tobacco, so there is a global impression that these products pose a much lower risk.

Can heated tobacco products benefit public health if they reduce risk and, in turn, help people stop smoking normal cigarettes? And can this happen without attracting people who would otherwise avoid tobacco entirely? Honestly, there aren’t any studies focussing on whether giving smokers heated tobacco products helped them stop smoking.

What is interesting is that there are some Japanese studies looking at how cigarette sales changed after IQOS penetrated the markets. The studies, actually, found fall in cigarette sales sped up after the IQOS launch. In short, the studies suggested that heated tobacco products might replace rather than complementing cigarettes.

(Representative photo)
(Representative photo)

At the same time, there is a high possibility that sales of cigarettes fell because most people cut down without stopping altogether. After all, the biggest improvements in health come from stopping smoking altogether rather than smoking fewer cigarettes.

And it is here the E-cigarettes, or vapes, make a silent entry. These are a different breed of nicotine products that have, slowly yet steadily, become popular, especially among the millennials. So let’s compare it with cigarettes. Heated tobacco products heat tobacco leaf and then, e-cigarettes heat a liquid, typically containing nicotine. And then, there are large differences in the science and regulation of these products. E-cigarettes have filled the shelves for longer than heated tobacco, so there’s more evidence about their benefits and harms.

Unlike heated tobacco, e-cigarettes have been shown to help people stop smoking normal cigarettes. There are high chances that in the not-too-distant future, UK may even offer e-cigarettes to those keen to quit smoking. But then, the e-cigarettes must pass the necessary regulatory hurdles.

Across the world, many nations including Japan, have imposed restrictions that have essentially banned the sale of nicotine e-cigarettes, while heated tobacco products remain widely available. This may explain why heated tobacco has taken off in Japan. It’s the only potentially lower-risk alternative to cigarettes available.

Heated tobacco use remains rare in countries like the UK and US, where the e-cigarette market was already well-established by the time IQOS launched.

E-cigarettes were the first non-medical nicotine alternative to cigarettes that appealed widely to smokers around the globe. But e-cigarettes don’t contain tobacco and many manufacturers are unconnected to cigarette companies. Many tobacco companies instead focused on developing heated tobacco devices, a market over which they could maintain greater control because they had the patents.

Global sales increased quickly in Japan and South Korea in 2014 with the introduction of IQOS to test markets by Philip Morris International. Thereafter, other tobacco companies introduced their own electronic heated tobacco devices. Some of the most popular today are Glo by British American Tobacco and Ploom by Japan Tobacco International.

Interestingly, bulk of the research into the safety of heated tobacco – ironically – comes from Philip Morris International, which applied for IQOS to be sold as a “reduced exposure” and “reduced risk” tobacco product in the US.

A few years ago, probably in 2019, the United States allowed IQOS to be marketed as a reduced exposure product. Their review concluded that “switching completely from conventional cigarettes to the IQOS system significantly reduces your body’s exposure to harmful or potentially harmful chemicals”.

Now, the reduced risk application did not hold water, it failed miserably because “the evidence is not sufficient to demonstrate substantiation of either of the claims about the reduced risk of tobacco-related disease or harm”.

I think the world needs more evidence to be sure about how using heated tobacco affects people’s health.

So it is clear that the heated tobacco market is dominated by products from the cigarette industry, which has historically acted to distort science into the harm of cigarettes. And then, many e-cigarette manufacturers are unaffiliated with cigarette companies.

Tobacco giants have searched for decades for a less harmful cigarette. They have failed. Worse, their attempts to add ventilation holes to cigarette filters have added to the mess.

Tobacco giants are still trying, very hard.

BLA kills over 150 Pak Army soldiers in twin attacks at Panjgur & Nushki

News Intervention Bureau
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BLA kills over 150 Pak Army soldiers in twin attacks at Panjgur & Nushki

Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) Majeed Brigade (self-sacrificing unit) launched twin attacks Wednesday on Pakistan Army base camps at Panjgur and Nushki and have eliminated more than one hundred fifty Pakistani soldiers. The battle at Nushki is over wherein over a hundred Pakistani soldiers were killed and nine BLA revolutionaries attained martyrdom. BLA freedom fighters were still battling and defending their position at Panjgur base camp at the time of writing this report.

Local sources confirmed that BLA revolutionaries were bravely defending their position at the Panjgur base camp and had shot down two Pakistani gunship helicopters. Pakistan Army helicopters were swirling round the Frontier Corps military base at Panjgur and their soldiers were firing relentlessly at the BLA revolutionaries, but were unable to wrest back their military base.

On the other hand, the Panjgur district administration in a statement asked the people to remain in their homes in view of the battle at Panjgur. Curfew was imposed and nobody was allowed to step out. Rawalpindi has issued a gag order on local media and there has been a complete internet blockade.

Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) spokesperson Jayend Baloch addressed the media from an undisclosed location and said that a large part of the military camps at Panjgur was still under the control of the Majeed Brigade of Baloch Liberation Army.

“Baloch Liberation Army’s Majeed Brigade has successfully completed its operation in FC (Frontier Corps) headquarters in Nushki,” said Jeeyand Baloch in his statement. He added that “BLA Majeed Brigade fidayees eliminated at least 100 personnel of Pakistani military including an officer, just in the Nushki FC headquaters.”

Media reporting and coverage has been banned to cover up this massive and successful attack of the Baloch revolutionaries and telecom network has been disabled across Panjgur, Nushki and Makran division of Balochistan. The ISPR (Inter Services Public Relations), propaganda arm of Pakistan Army, has activated its troll army who have begun sharing photoshopped photos and fake videos in a desperate attempt to hide their embarrassment.

Manzoor Pashteen survives Pak Army’s assassination attempt

News Intervention Bureau
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Manzoor Pashteen survives Pak Army’s assassination attempt

Pashtun leader Manzoor Pashteen survived an assassination attempt Wednesday when a Pakistan Army soldier in civilian clothes fired several shots at his car in Zhob, occupied Balochistan. Manzoor Pashteen heads the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) and was on his way to Qila Saifullah district when he was attacked at Zhob.

PTM’s Balochistan coordinator Noor Bacha, who was travelling along with Manzoor Pashteen, has been hit and is currently admitted in a hospital at Zhob.

Pakistan Army soldier in civilian clothes who fired at Manzoor Pashteen’s car at Zhob, occupied Balochistan. (Photo: News Intervention)

Manzoor Pashteen was in occupied Balochistan to attend the third martyrdom anniversary of PTM leader Arman Loni, who died when Pakistani regime lathi-charged protesting Pashtuns on February 2, 2019. The Punjabi Pakistani regime and generals at GHQ Rawalpindi get jittery whenever Pashtuns protest for their rights and demands. The assassination attempt on Manzoor Pashteen is a step to muzzle the Pashtun voice.

Noor Bacha, PTM’s Balochistan coordinator sustained bullet injuries when Pakistani soldier fired on Manzoor Pashteen’s car at Zhob, occupied Balochistan. (Photo: News Intervention)

Eyewitnesses say that Manzoor Pashteen and other Pashtun leaders were detained by the Frontier Corps (FC) and were being taken to an undisclosed location. However as the news of Manzoor Pashteen’s arrest spread like wild fire a large number of Pashtun and Baloch activists started protests for his safe release.

A jittery Paki regime was then forced to release Manzoor Pashteen and at the time of writing this news report, Pashteen was back with hundreds of Pashtun and Baloch supporters and were protesting at the Malik Hassan petrol pump near Zhob.

Nervous Pak Army attacks Dasht civilians in response to BLF strike

News Intervention Bureau
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Nervous Pak Army attacks Dasht civilians in response to BLF strike

In a massive search and detention operation across Dasht, district Ketch in Pakistan-occupied Balochistan (POB), the nervous Pakistan Army has arrested several Baloch who are now ‘missing’ as their whereabouts are unknown. This crackdown came in response to the relentless attacks by the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) on Pakistani forces in Dasht.

On January 25, the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) sarmachaars (freedom fighters) had completely destroyed a Pakistan Army post at Sabdan in the Dasht tehsil of Ketch district and killed 17 Pakistani military personnel. An embarrassed Pakistan Army cremated its soldiers at night in order to avoid media glare, lest its atrocities and barbarism on the Baloch population could come in the limelight.

Later on, Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa paid a visit to the area and ordered his troops to speed up the operation.

According to reports, the Paki forces have abducted more than ten Baloch from the Darchko area of Dasht to an unknown location after forcibly taking them into custody. Among those who have gone missing are Murad, Kamal and Habib aged eighty years. The youths who have been forcibly detained have been identified as Fida (son of Nazar Fida), Fida (son of Ibrahim), Owais (son of Rasool Bakhsha), Hanif (son of Firak), Niaz (son of Omid), Abid (son of Bashir) and Bilal (son of Bashir).

The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) has been fighting for Balochistan’s independence against Pakistani occupation for the last several years. BLF is led by Dr Allah Nazar Baloch.

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