Khuzdar: Armed Clashes in Wadh Cause Fear and Panic, Temporary Ceasefire Achieved

Since Wednesday, Tehsil Wadh in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district has witnessed intense clashes between two large groups of armed individuals, turning the area into a battlefront. The indiscriminate non-stop firing has instilled fear and anxiety among the residents of Wadh.

The violent exchange of fire erupted on Wednesday evening between the armed groups led by BNP-Mengal chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal and Shafiq Mengal. Heavy weapons were utilized during the confrontation, prompting the suspension of all traffic on the highway connecting Quetta to Karachi.

Sardar Akhtar Mengal and his supporters have accused Mir Shafiq Mengal of being the leader of a notorious “death squad.” These local militias, allegedly backed by Pakistani forces, are responsible for spying on Baloch nationalists and forcibly disappearing people. The motive behind Shafiq Mengal’s actions, as claimed by Akhtar Mengal’s faction, is to weaken Baloch nationalists, including Akhtar Mengal himself, to reduce their chances of winning in the upcoming elections.

Moreover, Baloch nationalists, activists, and journalists have leveled grave allegations against Shafiq Mengal, holding him accountable for numerous human rights violations, drug trafficking, kidnappings, and targeted killings in the Wadh and Khuzdar regions. They further claim that he played a central role in killing over a hundred innocent souls and dumping their bodies in mass graves where they were discovered in 2014. The bodies bore signs of torture and had been defaced with lime, making them unrecognizable.

The situation escalated on Wednesday evening, with gunfire lasting for more than two hours before authorities intervened. Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langove confirmed the clash and stated that rockets and heavy weapons were employed during the confrontation. However, there was no immediate information about casualties.

Khuzdar administration successfully negotiated with both sides’ elders, leading to a temporary ceasefire until Thursday morning. Efforts were made to establish a permanent ceasefire, with talks continuing between the two armed groups.

Nawab Aslam Raisani, chief of Sarawan tribes, reached out to Akhtar Mengal, Sharif Mengal, and other tribal elders, urging them to pursue reconciliation according to tribal customs. He emphasized the importance of settling their differences peacefully.

During the tense situation, markets and public areas in Wadh remained closed, and residents found themselves confined to their homes. Although firing had ceased, armed men from both factions remained stationed in their trenches.

The Khuzdar-Karachi Highway was blocked due to the protests of BNP-Mengal workers and supporters in Quetta, Kalat, Mastung, Khuzdar, Bela, Hub, and other towns.

Mama Qadeer Baloch, a veteran rights activist, and Vice-Chairman of the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP), appealed to the Mengal tribe in Wadh to resolve their disputes through traditional Baloch methods. He warned that internal strife would only weaken the Baloch cause and play into the hands of their adversaries. He further requested the intervention of the Khan of Kalat to facilitate negotiations between Akhtar Mengal and Shafiq Mengal.

As the situation in Wadh continued to escalate, the Balochistan High Court intervened, taking notice of the tense conditions. The court adjourned the hearing until July 21 following a petition submitted to a two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Amir Rana. The petition cited the adverse impact of the Wadh conflict on the lives of ordinary citizens, prompting the court’s concern and subsequent adjournment.