Pakistani forces have conducted various military operations in different parts of Balochistan in a single day. The operations come a day after Pakistani forces and FWO workers were targeted in two separate incidents injuring dozens.
According to details obtained by The Balochistan Post (TBP), military operations were conducted in Gichk, Mastung and Gwadar areas. Pakistani forces were also aided with gunship helicopters in Gichk offensive.
Kachkol Ali Baloch, a senior leader of Baloch National Movement tweeted:
Widespread attack directed against civilians in Balochistan. 1 killed in #Mastung. Dozens abducted from Gichk & #Gwadar including a teenager
— Ali Kachkol Baloch (@KachkolAli) October 20, 2017
Gichk, Panjgur:
Pakistani forces started a military operation early in the morning on Friday in Gichk and disconnected all communication sources. The whole area has also been cordoned off, making it difficult to ascertain the losses to life and property.
However, local sources have reported to TBP that huge blasts have been heard in the region.
Pakistani forces were attacked at least three times in Gichk in last few days. Increased military activity by Pakistani forces was observed after these attacks and locals had feared a military operation.
A senior official of BNM, the largest pro-freedom Baloch political organisation, told TBP that Pakistani forces continue to target innocent civilians every time they are attacked by Baloch freedom fighters.
Mastung:
News of door to door search operations were circulating in Mastung since yesterday, when a grenade attack in the main market injured more than 20 including several personnel of Pakistani security forces.
Early in the morning on Friday, Pakistani security forces killed at least one and arrested two persons in Kogarh village, located in outskirts of Mastung. Pakistani security forces were conducting a door to door search operation when the incident occurred.
There are reports that several others have also been taken away by security forces.
Gwadar:
A large scale military operation was conducted in various parts of Gwadar late on Thursday and through out Friday.
According to TBP correspondent, dozens have been whisked away by Pakistani forces from Gwadar and vicinity after yesterday’s attack.
Yesterday, unidentified men threw a grenade into a laborers’ hostel in port city of Gwadar wounding 26 of them. The laborers were affiliated with Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), a subsidiary of Pakistani Army that is run by an active Army General.
Analysts believe the the attack is likely to raise concern about security for China’s “Belt and Road” initiative in Balochistan. The project is known as China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the region, however, a Baloch leader, Hammal Haidar, had termed it China Pakistan Exploitation Corridor during an interview with an international news outlet.
Balochistan is a key section of the plan for energy and transport links connecting western China with the Middle East and Europe.