Chagai residents block road to protest against Pak Army’s oppression
The residents of Chagai also known as Chaghi have voiced their frustration by blocking the road leading to Nokundi Bab-e-Umar against the oppressive tactics of the Pak Army.
Reportedly, the previous day, the Pak Army callously sabotaged their vehicles by pouring sand into the engines of two local individuals’ vehicles, causing them excruciating pain as they walked barefoot on scorching hot sand.
Residents said that such incidents have occurred before, where drivers’ vehicles’ engines were disabled, and water bottles were also snatched from the drivers, leading to the drivers dying of thirst.
They further said that they appeal to human rights organizations to take note of the forces’ actions. Meanwhile, an announcement was made by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee to hold a protest rally in Dalbandin.
In an inhumane and disgraceful act, the Pak Army has tortured and abandoned Baloch drivers and labourers in the desert.
Leaders from the Baloch National Party and other nationalist groups participated, calling the puppet authority representatives “traders” who have been “sold out” and no longer defend the rights of the Baloch people.
The protesters said that Baloch people are being exploited. Instead of hiring local youth for the Rekodiq and Saindak projects, people from Punjab are being recruited. “If any Baloch tries to work across the border, they are not spared. Their shoes are removed and they are forced to stand barefoot on scorching sand,” another protester said.
It should be noted that in April 2024, nearly 200 batteries were removed from the radiators of vehicles by the Pak Army officials in the deserted border area, leaving drivers helpless and stranded. Reportedly, many drivers died due to thirst.
Since 1948, when Pakistan forcibly occupied Balochistan, the region has been subjected to the exploitation of its resources and systematic oppression of its people by the Pak Army. Pak Army is depriving the people of their basic rights. It is important for the international community to support the Baloch nation and raise its voice for their rights.
BLA new video exposes Pak Army brutality in occupied-Balochistan
The Baloch Liberation Army has released a powerful new video that lays bare the brutal realities of Pak occupation in Balochistan. This visual proof shines a light on the nefarious agenda and inhumane tactics employed by the Pak military forces against Baloch people.
The footage features our brave freedom fighters from the elite Majeed Brigade, a dedicated squad formed in 2011 to strike at the heart of Pakistan’s occupation. Among them is Fidai Karim Jan, a veteran of the successful Operation Zarpahazag attack that dealt a decisive blow against Pak intelligence headquarters.
‘Operation Zir Pahazag’ phase 5, the latest offensive was conducted by the BLA’s elite Majeed Brigade unit against Pak intelligence installations in the city of Gwadar on March 20th, 2024. They struck facilities housing the headquarters of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency as well as Military Intelligence (MI) and over 25 personnel from various branches of the Pak Armed forces were killed during the attack.
Jan provides searing testimonial of the systematic oppression inflicted by Pak forces. His own family has been a victim, with his brother forcibly disappeared for a year and Jan himself imprisoned and abducted.
“I have not seen a single person in the Pak Army who has anything called humanity”, Jan said. He reveals the horrific treatment of fellow Baloch captives, recounting how “The prisoners who were Baloch were ready to be slaughtered like dogs. I myself have seen all this, I have seen all this torture.”
This disturbing first-hand account confirms what the Baloch resistance has been exposing for decades – a campaign of enforced disappearances and crimes against humanity perpetrated by Pakistan against Baloch community. Over 30,000 innocent Baloch have been made victims of enforced disappearance by Pak forces in their desperate attempt to cling to occupied Balochistan.
Balochistan has suffered under the yoke of illegal Pak occupation since Balochistan’s forced annexation in 1948. But videos like this prove that no amount of state violence can extinguish the flame of Baloch self-determination burning in the hearts of freedom fighters.
The Army must be held accountable for these atrocities. The international community must condemn Pakistan’s actions and support the peaceful democratic struggle to liberate Balochistan from foreign subjugation once and for all.
Sindhi journalist Nasrullah Gadani dies after getting shot
Nasrullah Gadani, a journalist with the Sindhi language daily Awami Awaz, succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital in Karachi on Friday.
Notably, Gadani (40), was shot by armed assailants in Mirpur Mathelo a few days ago and was initially treated at a hospital in Rahim Yar Khan before being airlifted to Karachi for further medical attention.
A massive funeral was held in his native village of Qabool Gadani, attended by thousands of mourners, including journalists, nationalist party leaders and community members. Following the funeral, Gadani was laid to rest in a local graveyard.
The killing of Nasrullah Gadani has sparked widespread anger and protests across Sindh. In Karachi, journalists covering the Sindh Assembly session staged a walkout from the press gallery, demanding justice for Gadani and Jan Mohammed Mahar, another journalist recently killed in Sukkur. The protesters chanted slogans against the rising incidents of violence against journalists in the province.
Sindh Home Minister Zia Lanjar and Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon met with the protesting journalists, assuring them that three suspects had been detained and promising a breakthrough within a week.
Additionally, the journalist community, along with various other groups, staged a protest outside the Karachi Press Club, demanding justice for Gadani and calling for stronger protections for journalists in Pakistan.
Black flags were hoisted at press clubs across Sindh, and journalist bodies held rallies and demonstrations in protest. The protesters emphasised Gadani’s role as a vocal critic of the Pakistani establishment and PPP MNA Lund Sardar, whom many believe to be behind the assassination.
Meanwhile, a video clip has emerged showing Gadani being shot by armed guards allegedly linked to Sardar a couple of days before he was shot and killed. In the video, Gadani can be seen speaking about the firing.
Pashtuns hold massive rally against rise in Pashtun killings in Pakhtunkhwa
Pakhtunkhwa is grappling with a new set of challenges under the dictats of Pakistan, marked by a disturbing increase in target killings and resource exploitation. Over the past two days, more than six people have been reported killed, highlighting a severe security crisis in the region.
The residents of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are facing a heightened threat to their lives, with incidents of target killings becoming alarmingly frequent. Despite the region being heavily militarized, the Pakistan Army has failed to curb these violent incidents, leaving the populace vulnerable and unprotected.
On May 23, the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) held a protest rally and demonstration in Dhaka city against the burning of Pashtuns’ heavy-duty vehicles in Dhaka Baghai, drawing massive public participation. The protest aimed to highlight the continuous target killings and exploitation faced by the Pashtun community.
Earlier, on May 22, six trucks laden with coal were fired upon by unidentified assailants and subsequently set ablaze. This incident further underscores the precarious security situation in the region and the targeted attacks on Pashtun resources.
According to claims by local activists, the incident happened despite Pak Army extorting additional money in the name of security.
Over all the situation of Pashtuns remain precarious as they face multifaceted challenges, both from Pak Army and other fringe elements. On the other hand, Pak Army uses these incidents to project itself as a victim.
During the rally, PTM leaders raised their voices against the ongoing target killings of Pashtuns and demanded an immediate cessation of such cowardly acts. They called for the Pakistani government and military to take swift and effective action to protect the lives and properties of the Pashtun people.