Residents of four settlements along the Quetta-Taftan highway in Noshki have reportedly been ordered by the Pakistani military to leave their homes for approximately two months amid preparations for a possible military operation.
Security and local sources told The Balochistan Post that residents of Killi Bhutto, Killi Harooni, Killi Ahmadwal and Killi Jorkain had been instructed to relocate during September.
The residents were directed to register at the Ahmadwal Zaireen Camp before leaving their homes and advised to take essential daily-use items with them while leaving their remaining belongings behind.
According to the sources, restrictions on movement could also be imposed during the possible operation, with the Noshki-Dalbandin and Noshki-Kharan roads expected to be closed on designated days.
Meanwhile, a curfew is reportedly already in force between Bhutto and Jorkain. Local sources said shops and petrol stations had been closed, while civilian movement across the area remained restricted.
The Pakistani military and Balochistan government had not publicly confirmed the evacuation orders or announced details of any planned operation at the time of publication.
The reported orders come after sources familiar with proceedings at a closed-door conference on Balochistan in Islamabad told The Balochistan Post that Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir had discussed a large-scale military operation involving population evacuations and aerial bombardment in parts of Balochistan.
According to those sources, Munir told participants that the populations of Noshki and Mastung would be evacuated and the areas bombed by military jets. He was also quoted as saying that residents would be removed from other areas wherever the military considered it necessary.
Curfews and ground and aerial military operations have been reported this year in several parts of Balochistan, including Noshki, Zehri and Jiwani. Preparations for the possible evacuation of residents were also reported in Khadkocha, Mastung.
Earlier this year, approximately 5,000 residents were displaced from the Shadi Kaur area of Pasni during a military operation, according to local sources.