Pakistani armed forces have been accused of seizing land, forcing civilians into labour, and expanding military installations in the Zehri area of Balochistan’s Khuzdar district following last month’s large-scale operation.
Residents and local sources told The Balochistan Post that the army has taken control of lands near Tarasani, where new camps are being constructed. They alleged that young men are being forced to work on the sites, taken from their homes in the morning and released only in the evening.
Sources also said that soldiers are monitoring movement in and out of the area and have established several new checkpoints, where travellers are required to show identification and personal details. The expanded security measures, they said, have disrupted daily life and created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
Residents further claimed that the only civil hospital in Zehri has been occupied by Pakistani armed forces and converted into a military camp. At least one pregnant woman reportedly died earlier this month after being unable to receive medical care due to the hospital’s closure.
Several families have reportedly fled Zehri amid what locals describe as continuous surveillance and harassment by Pakistani forces. Many have relocated to Khuzdar, Hub Chowki, and other nearby towns.
The large-scale military operation in Zehri began in September, involving airstrikes and reported drone attacks that killed several people, including women and children, according to residents and human rights monitors.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, had confirmed the operation at the time, claiming it targeted “Baloch insurgents” active in the area.
The offensive followed a major armed takeover in August, when Baloch fighters reportedly held control of Zehri for more than a month, establishing checkpoints and local administration before Pakistani forces launched a ground and air operation to retake the town.
Following the military’s reoccupation, reports emerged of detentions and disappearances, including of women and young men from surrounding villages.
Both Amnesty International and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) have condemned the reported civilian deaths and prolonged curfew in Zehri. In separate statements, the organisations urged authorities to restore essential services, release detainees, and allow independent investigations into alleged abuses.
Amnesty International said that “the use of indiscriminate force in populated areas must end immediately,” while the HRCP called on the government to ensure that “security operations do not lead to the collective punishment of civilians.”