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Rawalpindi’s battle to finish Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party faces struggles

Nilesh Kunwar
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Rawalpindi’s battle to finish Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party faces struggles

Less than two weeks after the May 9 protests in which military assets and facilities in Pakistan were targeted by incensed mobs, Pakistan Army’s media wing Inter Services Public Relations [ISPR] issued a press release stating that Army chief Gen Syed Asim Munir had said that “legal process of trial against planners, instigators, abettors and perpetrators involved in 9 May tragedy has commenced under Pakistan Army Act [PAA] and Official Secret Act as per existing and established legal procedures derived from the Constitution of Pakistan.”

Despite public outrage against the Army’s arbitrary decision to try civilians under PPA, Pakistan’s National Assembly dutifully defended Rawalpindi’s contentious decision, maintaining that “Across the world, the right of inquiry against people involved in incidents such as attacks on military installations lie with the Army.” This claim in itself is debatable and is tantamount to the victim serving as both the jury and judge during trial of the accused, thereby brazenly violating the fundamental principle of natural justice.

Stating that “It is alarming to note that the Pakistan Army has stated its intention to try civilians under military laws, possibly in military courts,” Deputy Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty International [AI] Dinushika Dissanayake has rightly pointed out that “Trying civilians in military courts is contrary to international law.” [Emphasis added]. In October 2023, a five-member bench of Pakistan’s Supreme Court declared that the trial of civilians in military courts was unconstitutional.

Rawalpindi is nevertheless going ahead and there’s no doubt that come what may, in the end it’ll have its way!
 
ISPR has craftily played-up the foreign hand narrative by suggesting that the May 9 riots were orchestrated by New Delhi and by participating in it, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf [PTI] supporters had betrayed the nation. It’s no secret that in Pakistan, anti-India rhetoric is the most effective and enduring stratagem to galvanise public opinion and that’s why many agree with the Army’s logic that since the May 9 rioters had humiliated the Pakistan Army, strong retribution against this unprecedented act was necessary to restore Rawalpindi’s ‘izzat’ [honour].
 
The Pakistan Army’s concern for maintaining its honour and image is however very selective. In November 2023, the Supreme Court of Pakistan in its written order on a complaint of extortion and intimidation levelled by the owner of a private housing scheme against former Inter Services Intelligence chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, stated “The allegations are of an extremely serious nature, and if true, undoubtedly would undermine the reputation of the federal government, the armed forces, ISI, and Pakistan Rangers, therefore, they cannot be left unattended.”
 
Alleged involvement of a serving three-star General in an extortion case is indeed a very serious matter as it reflects rather poorly the Pakistan Army’s already faltering image. Hence, one had accepted that like the May 9 riots case, Rawalpindi would insist that this case should be investigated and tried by the Army. But for reasons unknown the Army demurred and by its own admission opened investigations against ex-ISI chief only after the Supreme Court’s explicit directions issued in November 2023 to do so.
 
However, what has finally emerged is even more surprising.
 
Rawalpindi’s investigations have concluded that the allegations of extortion and intimidation against Lt Gen Hameed have been found to be true. While confirming that “appropriate disciplinary action has been initiated against Lt Gen Faiz Hameed [Retd], under provisions of Pakistan Army Act,” ISPR has also revealed that “In addition, multiple instances of violation of Pakistan Army Act post-retirement have also been established.”  
 
That “multiple instances of violation of Pakistan Army Act” by the former spy master escaped notice of the Pakistan Army’s highly rated spy agency ISI is hard to digest. Who would ever believe that had the Pakistan Army not been directed by the Supreme Court to investigate extortion and other related allegations against the former ISI chief, then the multiple violations of PPA committed by him would have gone unnoticed?
 
Though details of these violations have not been specified, given the proximity of the former ISI chief with Khan, what ISPR is implying is obvious. The timing of this revelation itself raises strong suspicions that Rawalpindi has adroitly used directions of the Supreme Court on investigating corruption charges against the former ISI chief to further its own motivated agenda against the cricketer turned politician and has hence linked Lt Gen Hameed’s transgressions with the PTI chief and his party.
 
Yet, despite cornering the former ISI chief, Rawalpindi will think twice before taking any strict action against him because it knows that this could well open a can of worms. Lt Gen Hameed has been directly involved in several covert Army dealings like the 2017 Rawalpindi facilitated Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan’s [TLP] sit-in at Faizabad against the anti-Nawaz Sharif government.
 
The former ISI chief is also privy to Pakistan Army’s secret talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan [TTP] and reasons behind undue concessions made this terrorist group like unconditional release of its convicted fighters and surreptitiously allowing TTP cadres to make a systematic comeback in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [KP].
 
By being the first foreign official to visit Kabul and that too just days after US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan and even before the Taliban interim government was formed, Lt Gen Hameed unambiguously endorsed former US President Donald Trump’s 2018 observation that “they [Pakistan government and Army] give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan.” 
 
Surprisingly, despite the inopportune timing of this visit and his much publicised tea session there that severely embarrassed both Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the Pakistan Army didn’t initiate any disciplinary action against him and no prizes for guessing why!
 
Despite Rawalpindi’s multi pronged attack, its efforts to render former Prime Minister Imran Khan and PTI politically irrelevant haven’t fully succeeded. Whoever has given Gen Munir the idea of using Lt Gen Hameed as a weapon for delivering the coup de grâce to Khan’s political existence may not have realised that the former ISI chief is no pushover, and that just like Khan, he too will not go down without a fight.
Rawalpindi’s ongoing fight to politically finish Khan will only further aggravate political instability in Pakistan and such the only option for Gen Munir is to sheathe the sword and talk it out with Khan. But this is easier said than done because in Pakistan where the military ‘selects’ prime minister, for an Army chief to negotiate with a politician is not only blasphemous  but also an unacceptable blow to Rawalpindi’s fiercely protected ‘izzat’!   
 
 
 
 

PTM activists face escalating crackdown by Pak Army

News Intervention Bureau
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PTM activists face escalating crackdown by Pak Army

In a troubling escalation of repression, the Punjabi Pakistan Army and local police forces have recently intensified their crackdown on the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a group advocating for the rights of the Pashtun community. Abdul Shaheed, the District Orkazai Social Media Coordinator for PTM, has been arrested by Kohat Police without any formal charges or FIR. This arrest exemplifies the disturbing trend of targeting peaceful activists while allowing terrorists to operate with impunity.

In a further display of the Pak Army’s heavy-handed tactics, PTM Pashin media member and poet Muhammad Samsoor was apprehended by the Pashin SHO under a fabricated FIR. The unjust detention highlights the pervasive abuse of power against those who seek justice and transparency in the region.

The ongoing oppression is underscored by recent developments involving key PTM figures. Shehzad Wazir, the South Waziristan Coordinator for PTM, has been imprisoned again following a new FIR. Additionally, Salman Turi, a PTM member from Kurram, has been forcibly disappeared by the Punjabi military. These actions reflect a broader pattern of enforced disappearances used by the Punjabi Pak Army to suppress dissent and silence activism.

The PTM’s struggle against the Pakistani establishment has intensified, particularly in light of the movement’s planned national gathering on October 11. The PTM’s vocal opposition to the militarization of Waziristan through Operation Azm-e-Istehkam and its criticism of the occupied-government’s inhumane policies have made it a target for increasingly brutal repression.

The Pak Army’s systematic campaign of intimidation and violence against PTM activists illustrates a grave violation of human rights and an alarming disregard for the rule of law since it forcefully occupied the region in 1947.

Skardu suffers under Paki establishment’s neglect & exploitation in PoGB

News Intervention Bureau
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Skardu suffers under Paki establishment’s neglect & exploitation in PoGB

Villages surrounding Skardu city in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) are enduring extreme hardship due to the occupied-govt’s gross neglect and mismanagement. The occupying regime, under the Pak Army’s rule, continues to suppress and exploit the local population while failing to provide even the most basic infrastructure and services.

In Sadpara, a village near the Satpara Lake just a few kilometers from Skardu, the situation is dire. Residents are grappling with severe infrastructural deficiencies, particularly the glaring absence of a civil dispensary. Despite numerous appeals, the village remains devoid of essential services. This neglect has resulted in tragic consequences, including the recent deaths of two newborn babies who lacked access to proper medical care.

Sadpara, despite being close to a major tourist attraction, is starkly deprived of fundamental amenities. The village suffers from poor road connectivity, inadequate infrastructure, and a complete absence of electricity. This stark lack of basic services is a direct consequence of the occupying government’s exploitation of the region’s resources and the systematic marginalization of its people.

A local resident expressed their frustration, saying, “We have repeatedly raised the issue of the civil dispensary, but it remains woefully understaffed and ill-equipped. There is only one person present when there should be three technical staff members, and the essential medical staff, including nurses and Lady Health Assistants, are completely absent.”

Skardu’s Crisis

This dire situation is exacerbated by the fact that the only available dispensary has recently been closed, further jeopardizing the health and safety of the villagers. The resident said, “The dispensary is often closed, and when it is open, the dispenser arrives late in the day, making it nearly impossible for villagers to get timely medical attention. The administration’s indifference to our plight is unacceptable. We demand immediate action, or at the very least, the provision of an ambulance to our village.”

Another resident highlighted the plight and ongoing struggle with obtaining essential medicines, criticizing the occupied-govt’s failure to ensure their availability.

The situation in occupied-Gilgit-Baltistan serves as a stark reminder of the broader issues under Paki establishment rule. The occupying government’s consistent suppression, resource exploitation, and neglect have left the population marginalized and without access to education, healthcare, or basic infrastructure. This ongoing crisis underscores that the occupying government in POGB is working directly under the influence of Islamabad, with the no responsibility towards people. 

BLA’s Operation Herof kills 130 Pak Army soldiers; 9 Baloch fidayeen attain martyrdom

News Intervention Bureau
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BLA’s Operation Herof kills 130 Pak Army soldiers; 9 Baloch fidayeen attain martyrdom

In a detailed statement released to the media, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch announced the successful conclusion of Operation Herof, a 20-hour long military campaign that resulted in significant losses for the Pakistan forces. The operation, marked by extraordinary bravery and self-sacrifice, saw the martyrdom of nine fidayeen from the BLA’s Majeed Brigade and one valiant fighter from the Fateh Squad, while inflicting heavy casualties on the Pak Army, with 130 personnel killed.

The spokesperson paid tribute to the self-sacrificing revolutionaries, beginning with Operational Commander Ghous Bakhsh Simalani, known as Talib, who led the attack on Bela Headquarters. Simalani, a dedicated freedom fighter from Turkhdi, Shahrag, had been associated with the BLA since 2019. He was the son of Meshedar Simalani, a revered BLA warrior who embraced martyrdom in November 2022 during a fierce battle against occupying Pak forces. Following the footsteps of his father and younger brother, both of whom sacrificed their lives for the cause, Ghous Bakhsh joined the Majeed Brigade in 2022. Despite being wounded early in the operation, he led his comrades with unparalleled courage, eliminating several soldiers and fighting for 20 hours before attaining martyrdom.

Among the martyrs was Sangat Mahil Baloch, also known as Zalan Kurd, a 22-year-old law student from Surbandar, Gwadar. Mahil, who joined the BLA in 2022, epitomized the revolutionary spirit of Baloch women. As the driver of an explosive-laden vehicle, she initiated the attack on the Army’s headquarters, allowing her fellow fighters to penetrate the camp. Her self-sacrifice was a powerful demonstration of the role women play in the Baloch liberation movement, proving that the struggle transcends gender and unites all Baloch people in the pursuit of freedom.

Another brave soul was Sangat Rizwan Baloch, known as Hammal, a 22-year-old revolutionary from Panwan, Gwadar. Rizwan joined the BLA and the Majeed Brigade in 2022. During Operation Herof, he courageously drove the second explosive-laden vehicle into the Bela Headquarters, disrupting the Pak Army and embracing martyrdom with honor.

BLA’s Fidayeen Martyrs

The spokesperson also honored the memory of Muhammad Baloch, known as Mirak, from Surab Tasp, Panjgur. Muhammad, a young fighter who joined the BLA in 2022, was part of the Majeed Brigade and fought for the liberation of his people with unwavering determination. His relative, Sangat Raees, had similarly sacrificed his life in the 2018 attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi.

Sangat Fazal Gul Zehri, known as Shavez, from Pirshar, Zehri, Khuzdar, was a highly skilled sniper who joined the BLA in 2022. During the Bela camp attack, Fazal Gul displayed remarkable precision, taking out over a dozen soldiers with headshots, thereby enabling his comrades to advance.

The spokesperson also highlighted the valor of Sangat Tayab, known as Lala, from Ahmedwal, Noshki. A former Pak soldier, Tayab renounced his military position due to the realization of Baloch national oppression. He left his life abroad to join the BLA’s liberation struggle. During Operation Herof, he fought bravely until his ammunition was depleted, ultimately taking his own life to avoid capture, symbolizing the ultimate act of self-sacrifice for his people.

The youngest of the martyrs, Sangat Junaid Zehri, known as Kami, was a 20-year-old from Samwani, Zehri, Khuzdar. Despite his youth, Junaid’s dedication and combat skills made him an invaluable member of the Majeed Brigade. He fought continuously for over 20 hours during Operation Herof, earning a place of honor among his fellow revolutionaries.

BLA Commemorates Martyrs

Additionally, the BLA spokesperson remembered two more fidayeen from the Majeed Brigade, Muhammad Asif Nechari, known as Naveed, and Muhammad Bakhsh Simalani, known as Khalid. These brave fighters were en route to join their comrades in Bela when they encountered Pakistan forces in Mastung. After a fierce battle, during which they killed seven soldiers, both attained martyrdom, further demonstrating their unwavering commitment to the Baloch cause.

The spokesperson also paid tribute to the martyrdom of Sangat Shafqat Mengal, a courageous member of the BLA’s Fateh Squad. Shafqat, a student at Balochistan University and an active participant in Baloch student politics, joined the BLA in 2023 and quickly became a key figure in the organization due to his combat skills. He fought valiantly in the clashes with Pakistan forces in the Mastung area during Operation Herof.

The BLA reiterated its commitment to honoring the sacrifices of these self-sacrificing revolutionaries. The organization vowed to continue the struggle for an independent and sovereign Baloch homeland, ensuring that the dreams of these martyrs would one day be realized. Since 1948, Pak-occupied-Balochistan province has witnessed decades of unrest and a ruthless crackdown by Pak Army against the Baloch community. Therefore, pro-independence groups like BLA are engaged in armed struggle against the brutal occupation. 

Pak Army storms Turbat University, harasses students over fidayeen Mahil Baloch

News Intervention Bureau
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Pak Army storms Turbat University, harasses students over fidayeen Mahil Baloch

In a disturbing development, Pak forces have encircled Turbat University in Pak-occupied-Balochistan and launched a search operation in the women’s hostel, reportedly targeting students in their quest for information on a fidayeen fighter involved in a recent attack.

Reportedly, the university reported that Pak Army and intelligence agencies have been conducting aggressive searches and interrogations, particularly focusing on Mahil Baloch, also known as Zalan Kurd. Mahil, a resident of Gwadar and a law student at Turbat University, was identified as the individual who carried out a fidayeen attack on a central camp of Pakistan Army in Bela as part of the Baloch Liberation Army’s Operation Herof.

According to student accounts, Pak Army personnel questioned multiple students about Mahil Baloch’s activities and presence within the hostel. They scrutinised Mahil’s room and removed several items during their operation. The occupied-authorities reportedly interrogated students about Mahil’s involvement in the recent attack, with some students being separately summoned for questioning.

The heavy-handed approach by Pak forces shows their use of force and cruel treatment of students and the militarization of educational institutions. The raid, marked by its intensity and invasive nature, is targeting innocent students and creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation on campus.

Despite the gravity of the situation, the administration of Turbat University has yet to release an official statement or provide a stance on the raid and the subsequent harassment of students. The lack of response from the university raises further questions about the absence of safeguards and the lack of protection for students in such politically charged environments.

Pak Army kills over five Pashtuns, injures 15 in north Waziristan blast

News Intervention Bureau
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Pak Army kills over five Pashtuns, injures 15 in north Waziristan blast

A devastating blast in Razmak, North Waziristan, has resulted in the deaths of at least five Pashtuns and left more than 15 others critically injured. Razmak, a heavily militarized area with its entry and exit controlled by the Punjabi Pak military, has seen a recent surge in such incidents, which are part of a broader strategic game to justify ongoing security measures.

The blast in Razmak follows a recent incident where a young boy named Zia ur Rehman was killed by Pakistan Army personnel in Khadi village, North Waziristan. The Pakistan Army has conducted numerous extrajudicial killings and targeting of innocent civilians under the pretext of operations against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Al Qaeda.

The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have experienced severe displacement, destruction of homes, and staged encounters, by the Punjabi Pak Army’s operations in the region. The military’s anti-terrorist strategy, which often involves extensive collateral damage, is disproportionately affecting civilians while failing to address the underlying issues.

The ongoing operations are merely a facade and that conditions for civilians are worsening, with terrorists continuing their activities despite the Pak military’s efforts.

Pak Army arrests & abducts key PTM activist

News Intervention Bureau
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Pak Army arrests & abducts key PTM activist

Shehzad Wazir, the South Waziristan Coordinator for the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), has been imprisoned once again following a new FIR. This arrest is part of a continued crackdown on PTM members, who have been vocal against Pakistan’s military interests in the Pashtun region.

The PTM has condemned the arrest, as it is a direct result of their opposition to Pakistan’s military operations and business interests in the Pashtun belt. The movement remains resolute in its resistance against what it perceives as unjust persecution.

Adding to the concerns, reportedly, Salman Turi, a PTM member from Kurram, remains missing. Despite his arrest the previous day, he has not been presented in any court, raising concerns about his safety and whereabouts. The PTM has expressed alarm over Turi’s fate, attributing the ongoing persecution to the influence of the Pakistan Army over law enforcement agencies.

The Pakistan Army has intensified its crackdown on the PTM, particularly in response to the movement’s planned national gathering on October 11 and its vocal opposition to the militarization of Waziristan through Operation Azm-e-Istehkam. These actions are an attempt to suppress dissent and silence voices advocating for the rights of the Pashtun people.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa: Armed men abduct three Sui Northern Gas employees

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Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa: Armed men abduct three Sui Northern Gas employees

Police have confirmed that three employees of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) were abducted by armed individuals in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The incident occurred when the employees were traveling in a vehicle transporting diesel.

Authorities report that the employees were intercepted and taken hostage by the armed group. The kidnapped employees have been identified as Inayat and Saleem, both from Lakki Marwat. The identity of the third employee is yet to be confirmed, but police have suggested that he is an Urdu-speaking resident of Dera Ismail Khan.

Meanwhile, the kidnappers have released a video featuring the abducted individuals. Police are actively investigating the case and working to secure the release of the hostages.

Remote-controlled bomb blast hits Pak security forces convoy in north Waziristan

News Intervention Bureau
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Remote-controlled bomb blast hits Pak security forces convoy in north Waziristan

A remote-controlled bomb explosion targeting a security forces convoy in North Waziristan’s Naurak area has resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and injuries to six others, including a captain.

Reportedly, the convoy was en route from Miranshah to Bannu when it was struck by the remote-controlled bomb. The blast killed Lance Naik Intazar and Soldier Ahsan Akbar. Captain Javed and Soldiers Amir, Arshad, Nadeem, Javed, Basharat, and Havildar Taha were severely injured in the attack.

The convoy was proceeding through Naurak when the explosion occurred. The injured personnel are receiving treatment, and a search operation is underway to locate those responsible for the attack.

Pak backed authorities impose curfew, suspend internet in Bela

News Intervention Bureau
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Pak backed authorities impose curfew, suspend internet in Bela

Pak-occupied-authorities in Bela have imposed strict measures, ordering residents to stay indoors and close their shops as tensions escalate in the region. Reportedly, a curfew-like situation has enveloped the town, with a significant number of ambulances stationed throughout the area.

The occupied-administration has declared a state of emergency in all hospitals within the city, extending the alert to medical staff in the nearby area of Uthal. The heightened security measures follow ongoing unrest, leading to the suspension of mobile internet services in Bela, Uthal, and Hub Chowki. However, internet services are gradually being restored in other cities outside of these affected areas.

POB’s Chief Minister falsely claimed that the fighters at the Bela camp were neutralized at the main gate. In contrast, videos released by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) on their official channel, Hakkal, show Baloch sarmachaars (revolutionaries) in various positions within the camp.

Local residents have reported hearing explosions from the camp throughout the day, with helicopter patrols continuing overhead. The BLA has since announced the conclusion of its Operation Herof and declared that all previously blocked roads will be reopened.

According to the BLA, Operation Herof has resulted in the deaths of 130 Pak Army personnel across various areas, including Bela. The group has also stated that it will soon release detailed accounts of Operation Herof and the self-sacrificing attacks on the main Pak forces camp in Bela.

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