Baloch Nationalist Army confirms 7 insurgents were killed in a Pakistani drone strike in southern western Pakistan on March 8. It said the drone had also killed a key commander in the mountain range of Hoshab and Pasni in Kech, calling the strike “nothing short of a tragedy.”
BNA named the killed commander Hasil, saying he was killed with six others. “In the drone camp commander Hasil Baloch along with four others were martyred,” BNA said.” The group added that 3 insurgents successfully fought with grounded force, killing many before being shot dead.
BNA, which was formed in Jan after BRA & UBA merged, had suffered a major setback in #Balochistan’s KECH district. More than 20 BNA insurgents have killed in three strikes in February and March. Reports of the drone being used against #Baloch insurgents couldn't be confirmed.
However, #Baloch insurgents claim Pakistan using drones and chemical-laden missiles against them. Insurgents from other militants also say infiltration by Pakistani intelligence agencies threatens BNA’s existence and a larger-scale attack against other groups. #Balochistan#BNA
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A former east London businessman will spend the rest of his life in prison for conspiring to murder @AWGoraya, a Netherlands based blogger known for his harsh critique of Pakistan’s powerful army. MET Police said in January he was targeted due to his outspoken political views.
In February 2021, Dutch authorities informed @AWGoraya of a potential threat to his life. He was relocated to a secure accommodation by the police. In June, a 31-year-old British Pakistani man was arrested in London and was charged with one account of conspiracy to murder Goraya.
. @TownsendMark & I have closely followed this trial looking at threats to exile Pakistanis in Europe. Since early 2020, @RSF_inter says it has registered cases involving at least 13 Pakistani journalists & bloggers living abroad who received threats in different manners.
[Thread]: Army Chief's visit to #Turbat, #Balochistan! COAS faced some tough questions during his visit to Turbat University on Tuesday. COAS also averted questions about @BAwamiParty's emergence, performance, & military role in bringing it in power by snatching others' mandates.
Local elders, including members of Haq-Do-Tehreek of #Balochistan, repeatedly criticized the military for backing BAP and pushing genuine #Baloch leaders to the wall. COAS admitted backing BAP wasn't a useful idea but reiterated that the formation of BAP wasn't a military idea.
COAS & the army faced severe criticism for snatching Syed Ihsan Shah & National Party's mandate. Shah is a local politician & provincial MP who contested on NA271. He faced severe problems making it to National Assembly only because the military wanted Zobeda Jalal in NA.
#Thread_#Balochistan and #SLF.
The State has a history of censoring intellectual debates on #Balochistan. Authorities used to stop student unions from holding discussions, political circles, and debates inside Balochistan.
They would disappear and torture student leaders, journalists, and writers only speaking on issues related to Balochistan. Even the authorities would close the schools, colleges, and institutions for holding talks and political debates on Balochistan inside Balochistan.
Secular voices and politicians have been blackmailed or countered with unknown faces like Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) and hardcore religious fanatics.
Thread: Who is behind #Hazarakillings & why?
Hundreds of Hazaras have been killed in multiple attacks & thousands have been forced to leave their business activities in #Quetta. One should note here that most successful businessmen in Qta once were a member of Hazara community.
Between 2010 and 2013, the Hazara community in general and Hazara shopkeepers, intellectuals, officers, and businesspeople remained a prime target. By 2014, such attacks had devastated commerce and snatched away most of Quetta's business from the #HazaraCommunity members.
A Hazara officer from the Intelligence Bureau in Quetta told me in 2015 that he could not digests most of the attacks directed at his community were "sectarian driven." "Some attacks on Hazara were aimed to takeaway Quetta's key business from us," he told me.
In 2021, the conflict in Balochistan entered its 17th year. Islamabad deployed FC in Balochistan in 2004 to counter insurgent activities. The force soon after its deployment became unpopular among the locals
for human rights violations and heavy-handed operations. The Balochistan provincial govt gave police powers to FC in 2013. Since then, FC's traditional role in maintaining border security expanded into controlling crimes and countering terror activities.
More than 550 #ShiaHazaras have been killed in FC's presence since 2012, and thousands of Hazaras have been targeted and wounded in apparent sectarian attacks. Thousands of Baloch activists have disappeared without a trace. More than 1,000 dead bodies of political activists
“Your silence means you have a bias toward what State is doing in Balochistan – You Keep quiet & they will keep it happening. You cannot stop what they are doing with our women, kids, & children. But you can expose it by breaking Your silence”.
These were the last words conveyed to me by #KarimaBaloch through a mutual friend lately. I had a long talk with her 4-years ago when I was working on this report. theguardian.com/world/2016/feb….
I am not silent today, dear Karima. But I never thought I would have to break this deep silence after your soul had walked through a field of flowers. You had left an unflinching legacy. @MahrangBaloch5, @SeemaBaluch, and @BibiGulBaluch now lead that.