Soldier killed in clashes with protesters in Balochistan

By Staff Reporter

QUETTA: A soldier was killed in clashes with protesters in the southwestern province of Balochistan on Monday, the military said, as tensions escalated over a right rally.

“A violent mob… assaulted security forces’ personnel employed for security duties in Gwadar”, leading to the martyrdom of Sepoy Shabbir Baloch, 30, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
“The unprovoked assaults by the violent protesters have resulted in injuries to sixteen soldiers, including an officer,” the ISPR added.

The military accused protesters of spreading “fake and malicious propaganda” on social media using doctored pictures and videos to gain sympathy and support.

“Security forces had displayed extreme restraint to avoid unwarranted civilian casualties despite provocations,” the ISPR said, adding that “violent actions of the mob are unacceptable and those responsible will be brought to justice”.

A day earlier, three people were killed and several injured in clashes between security forces and protesters of Baloch Rajee Muchi (Baloch National Gathering).

The Balochistan Yakjehti Committee (BYC), which organized the protest, says it struggle for Baloch rights and resource protection. The region witnessed a complete shutter-down strike, with roads and highways leading to Gwadar blocked throughout the day. Sit-ins were staged at least 14 locations along highways and inter-provincial roads.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti told the provincial assembly that protesters had breached an agreement to hold a peaceful rally.

“People say they (the protesters) are peaceful. Why do these peaceful [people] cover their faces and how do they fire at Frontier Corps (FC)?,” the provincial chief said. “Their purpose is only to sabotage all those activities which benefit the people of Balochistan somehow”.

The BYC alleged that state forces “attacked the peaceful protest” and had surrounded the injured, “neither allowing them to be taken to the hospital nor giving access to the ambulance”.

“We fear that there will be many casualties if the injured are not given immediate medical attention,” the BYC said in a statement.

The BYC announced shutter down and wheel jam strikes and sit-ins across the province against what it said was the “worst brutality of the state of Pakistan in Gwadar”.

It alleged that state forces “attacked the peaceful protest” and had surrounded the injured, “neither allowing them to be taken to the hospital nor giving access to the ambulance”.