The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) on Tuesday condemned bombing and shelling in Balochistan’s Barkhan district as “collective punishment”, alleging that civilians, including women and children, were killed in the operation.
In a statement, the group described the incident as “deeply tragic and condemnable” and alleged that indiscriminate shelling had targeted a populated area.
According to the BYC, those killed included Ali, son of Sultan Umair, 40; Beebel, daughter of Gulzar, 30; Mir Jan, son of Ali, 2; Somri, daughter of Bhangaan, 35; Balach, son of Sabzo, 70; Shari, 22; Rahman, son of Balach, 18; Naikho, daughter of Jamalan, 17; Allah Bakhsh, son of Balach, 6; Sado, daughter of Balach, 13; Hapo, daughter of Balach, 8; and Mahrang, 2.
The group further said Zar Bibi, daughter of Sher, 55; Hazar Khan, son of Balach, 9; and Isra, daughter of Baloch, 15, were seriously injured.
The BYC spokesperson said the incident was not isolated but part of what he described as a continuing pattern in which entire areas are targeted in response to a single security incident.
“Enveloping a whole area in response to one attack, where women, children and elderly people lose their lives, reflects disproportionate use of force,” the statement said.
The group said such measures were contrary to constitutional and international principles and warned that “collective punishment increases hatred, mistrust and deprivation” within society.
It expressed solidarity with the victims and called for accountability.