Islamabad, 13 August (H.S.): The Baloch National Movement (BNM), a Balochistan-based nationalist and political organisation, has described the reported bombing by the Pakistan Air Force in the Gadar area of Surab district as a war crime. According to the organisation, more than 20 civilians, including children under the age of 10, were killed in jet strikes on populated areas, raising serious concerns over civilian safety and human rights in the province.
According to a report by The Balochistan Post, a BNM spokesperson alleged that bombing civilian areas and killing children constituted a clear violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. The organisation called for an immediate halt to the use of Pakistan’s military against civilians in Balochistan and urged the European Union and other international organisations to take prompt and effective action rather than remain silent over what it described as a humanitarian crisis.
The spokesperson also called on international media organisations to report developments in Balochistan independently and on the basis of verified facts, rather than relying solely on what the spokesperson described as one-sided statements and propaganda issued by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media and public relations wing.
In a separate development, armed men reportedly attacked a mine operated by a private mineral company in the Mahiyan Kor area of Chagai district and seized machinery worth millions of rupees, according to another report.
The armed group allegedly took several company security guards and workers with them after the attack. Those reportedly taken include Gilgit residents Wajahat, Wajid, Shahid and Saber, along with local workers Ziauddin, Shah Saleem, Chagai and Saeed Mohammad. Chagai police said efforts were underway to secure the release of the hostages.
Meanwhile, gas authorities in Sui, Dera Bugti district, said gas supplies had been suspended in several areas following an explosion. The affected areas reportedly include Kolpur, Mach, Mastung, Kalat, Pishin and Ziarat in and around Quetta.
Local sources said flames were seen emerging from the gas pipeline at the site. The explosion reportedly occurred at a valve assembly on the pipeline, around 800 metres from the main highway. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the blast.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
