Quetta’s Civil Hospital has started to hand over the bodies of individuals killed in the recent Operation Dara-e-Bolan, ending a two-day delay. This development comes in response to increasing demands from Balochistan residents, who have been gathering in protest outside the hospital to demand the return of the bodies to their families.
On Friday evening, the hospital administration released six out of the fourteen bodies they had been holding, including those of Kashif Shahwani, Wadood Satakzai, and Salal Akbar. This action was taken following persistent requests from their families, especially by the family of Salal Akbar from Parom, Panjgur.
A poignant tribute unfolded outside the hospital as people laid flowers on the coffins of the deceased and chanted slogans in honor of the BLA fighters killed during Operation Dara-e-Bolan.
The initial refusal to release the bodies, without justification, caused significant distress among the families. The lack of dignity with which the deceased were reportedly treated led to public outcry. “What message is Pakistan trying to convey to Balochistan by desecrating these bodies?” a family member asked, pointing to the disrespect shown to the deceased.
Saeeda Baloch, a local activist, indicated that the hospital’s reluctance was based on directives from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), which many viewed as an attempt to intimidate those seeking closure.
In a recent statement, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) provided clarification on the identities of the deceased. According to the BLA, 12 of the 14 bodies were members of its Majeed Brigade, who lost their lives during Operation Dara-e-Bolan. The BLA further stated that the remaining two individuals, a Levies official and a peon from an office in Mach city, were not affiliated with their organization. Allegedly, these individuals had surrendered to the BLA and sought refuge during the conflict but were tragically killed by indiscriminate mortar fire from the Frontier Corps.