Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has said that around 1,000 residents of the mountainous Shoor Paarod area in Kalat will be relocated and resettled elsewhere before a military operation is carried out in the region.
Speaking during a session of the Balochistan Assembly, Bugti said that camps belonging to what he described as “Fararis” had never been completely eliminated from the mountains of Shoor Paarod since 1970.
He said that those who claim the area remained peaceful in the past should also recognise that preparations for conflict continued even during periods of relative calm. He further stated that armed groups had carried out attacks on security forces in the Mastung area.
Bugti said that “terrorists” had killed members of the public and security personnel, and defended his earlier remarks regarding the cutting of orchards, claiming that his statement had been taken out of context.
He questioned what the state’s response should be if attacks were launched from private property. Alleging that armed groups use orchards as cover to carry out attacks, Bugti said the state expects property owners to inform authorities if armed militants are present on their land.
“I cannot accept that armed militants could be hiding in an orchard without the owner’s knowledge,” he said, adding that those who fail to report such activity could be viewed as facilitators.
His remarks come amid reports that residents of several areas in Mastung and Noshki, including Killi Batto, Killi Ahmadwal, Killi Harooni and Killi Jorkain, have been ordered to temporarily vacate their homes for two months in anticipation of military operations.
The directive issued by officials has reportedly caused concern among local residents.
Similar relocations have previously been reported in Zehri and the Shadi Kaor area of Pasni, where local populations were allegedly forced to leave their homes during military operations.