In Balochistan’s Turbat, Pakistani authorities are reportedly refusing to hand over the bodies of Baloch ‘fidayeen’ who executed a self-sacrificial attack on the PNS Siddique naval base on March 25, an operation that allegedly resulted in over thirty Pakistani military casualties.
According to reports, for three days, the families of the ‘fidayeen,’ along with civil society members and political activists, have been waiting at the Teaching Hospital in Turbat, demanding the immediate handover of the bodies.
After an extended wait with no response from the authorities, the families initiated a sit-in on Wednesday, blocking the M8 highway at D Baloch. By Thursday, the sit-in had been encircled by Pakistani forces, further escalating tensions.
A hospital source, speaking to The Balochistan Post under the condition of anonymity, revealed that authorities demanded video recordings and signing of a form from the families to claim the bodies.
However, the families unanimously rejected this requirement. The demand has been strongly criticized by both political and social circles, who argue that it has no legal basis and is allegedly used by Pakistani intelligence agencies for propaganda on social media and in the media.
A similar incident occurred in January when the civil administration in Quetta required families of Baloch ‘fidayeen’ from ‘Operation Dara-e-Bolan’ to sign a form before releasing the bodies. Nevertheless, under the leadership of Dr. MahRang, with support from political and social groups, the families refused to comply and ultimately received the bodies without signing the form.