Protests in Balochistan have significantly intensified in response to a violent state crackdown on participants of the ‘Baloch Raaji Muchi’ and the reported disappearances of several leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) in Gwadar.
According to reports, renowned activists Sammi Deen Baloch, Dr. Sabiha Baloch, and Sibghatullah Baloch have been unaccounted for since July 29, 2024. Sammi Deen, a Front Line Defenders award recipient for her work against enforced disappearances, was reportedly injured during the crackdown.
Journalist Hamid Mir reported that Sammi Deen Baloch and several other activists were arrested by Pakistani forces. He stressed that arresting women will not solve the problem but will only complicate the situation.
“There are reports that Gwadar police have arrested Sammi Baloch along with some other Baloch activists. DIG Gwadar is denying their arrest. Police is saying they are with FC and FC is not admitting their arrest. A case was filed against them a few days ago. Arresting the women will not solve any problem. It will complicate the situation further,” Hamid Mir posted on X.
The heavy-handed state crackdown, resulting in multiple deaths, dozens of injuries, and the detention of nearly a thousand BYC supporters, has sparked widespread protests across Balochistan. Thousands of people have taken to the streets in cities including Quetta, Khuzdar, Kharan, Kalat, and Dalbandin, demanding the release of detained activists and an end to ‘state violence.’
In Quetta, large crowds protested against what they called “state violence” against peaceful participants of the ‘Baloch National Gathering.’ In Dalbandin, police attempted to disperse protesters demonstrating against the use of force, provoking the crowd to pelt stones, leading to police opening fire.
Residents of Kharan have gathered to express solidarity with the participants of the ‘Baloch Raaji Muchi.’ In Khuzdar, Pakistani forces have cordoned off and blocked BYC’s protest rally, raising concerns of another crackdown. These actions have led to road blockades and shutter-down strikes in many cities, with multiple highways in Balochistan being blocked.
The ‘Baloch Raaji Muchi,’ initially planned as a one-day event on July 28, has turned into an indefinite sit-in protest on Marine Drive in Gwadar due to the brutal crackdown. On Monday, Pakistani security forces carried out a second crackdown in Gwadar that claimed the lives of multiple protesters and injured several others. Despite this, thousands reconvened at the sit-in site by Monday evening.
A BYC representative stated that security forces conducted a second crackdown at the sit-in site on Monday, detaining BYC leaders Sammi Deen Baloch, Dr. Sabiha Baloch, and Sibghatullah Baloch. They have been transferred to an unknown location. She also mentioned that security personnel took many BYC workers into custody. “The sit-in will continue until all workers are released,” she added.
Meanwhile, thousands more are waiting at the Talaar Checkpoint, 60 km from Gwadar, to join the protesters. In Talaar, at least two people were killed and over 20 injured after Pakistani forces opened fire. Tens of thousands continue to gather in the area from different parts of Balochistan.