Pakistani military forces have reportedly continued their operation in Zehri, a tehsil of Balochistan’s Khuzdar district, where residents report that four people, including a woman, have been taken into custody and moved to an undisclosed location.
According to reports, Pakistani forces carried out door-to-door searches in the area, during which several residents were subjected to physical assault. The forces reportedly raided the house of Sheikh Abdul Samad and detained his sister, Safia Bibi d/o Gul Muhammad. The secuirty forces reportedly demolished Safia’s family home using explosives. Other detainees include Zahid s/o Aziz, Asif Baloch, and Asadullah s/o Rasool Bakhsh Zarakzai, a shopkeeper.
Local sources report that Pakistani forces have demolished several houses in the area, leaving widespread destruction. Multiple cases of enforced disappearance have also been reported, though the identities of those taken remain unknown.
The security forces have also been accused of desecrating the graves of slain Baloch “pro-independence” fighters. Among the targeted graves is that of Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) commander Zia ur Rehman, known by his nom de guerre Diljan, who took his own life when he and his companion Barag Baloch were surrounded by Pakistani troops in Zehri’s Gazan area in 2018. Both men were buried there, but residents say security forces have now desecrated their graves, shattering headstones and disturbing the burial site.
Reports from Zehri suggest that a large number of troops are currently stationed in Norgama, with residents instructed to remain indoors. A curfew is said to be in place, and all entry and exit points of the Zehri have reportedly been sealed.
Security forces have reportedly taken over the town’s only functioning hospital, converting it into a military base. All medical clinics have remained closed for the past ten days, while the hospital itself is occupied. With routes in and out of Zehri sealed, residents say they have nowhere to turn in case of illness or emergency.
As a result of the blockade, a woman identified as Fehmida d/o Wahid Bakhsh reportedly gave birth to a stillborn child after being unable to reach a maternity facility in time. The mother’s health is reportedly in critical condition.
Local sources claim that internet and mobile phone services have also been suspended, leaving the area isolated for nearly two weeks.
The ongoing operation follows an earlier military campaign in the region. On 15 September, airstrikes allegedly carried out by Pakistani forces resulted in the deaths of seven people, including two women. The current ground operation began on 27 September, with reports of multiple detentions since then.
Residents say the situation has left them confined to their homes as movement in and out of Zehri remains heavily restricted. The cellular and broadband internet services have also been shut down, making it virtually impossible to obtain visuals or independently verify the true extent of the damage.