Pakistani forces have reportedly detained several organizers and volunteers in a crackdown ahead of the ‘Baloch Raaji Muchi’ (Baloch National Gathering) scheduled for Sunday, July 28, in Balochistan’s Gwadar.
In the Mangochar tehsil of Kalat district, multiple individuals were detained during raids conducted under instructions from the Deputy Commissioner of Kalat. The detainees have been identified as Amanullah Longove, Abdul Ahad Longove, and Abrar Ahmed Longove, who have been transferred to the local police station. Further arrests in Kalat have been reported but are yet to be confirmed.
In Quetta, Shoaib Jatak, Mubarak Jatak, and Usama Jatak were detained in the Lore Karez area and taken to a police station. A driver named Sattar Qambarani was also arrested, and his current location remains unknown.
Additionally, Pakistani forces detained two individuals from their home in the Lore Karez area of Quetta on Thursday night. The individuals, identified as Hafiz Aslam and Amir Rodeni, remain missing.
Pakistani forces and intelligence agencies also detained five individuals on Friday night, including Jeeyand Baloch, Chairman of the Baloch Students Organization (BSO), and another BSO member identified as Sherbaz Baloch. The identities of the other three detained individuals have not been confirmed.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and Balochistan police had previously announced that the state’s authority would not be challenged and that force would be used to prevent the ‘Baloch Raaji Muchi’. Following this announcement, numerous detentions have been made, roads have been blocked, and convoys heading to ‘Baloch Raaji Muchi’ have been obstructed.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) condemned the use of state force against peaceful participants, warning that the administration and government would be held responsible for any harm to the participants. They also demanded the immediate release of their detained members.