QUETTA: Four labourers and as many policemen were martyred on Saturday by unknown assailants in two separate incidents in Balochistan, drawing widespread condemnation, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowing that the government would not rest until all forms of terrorism are eliminated from the country.
The labourers, who hailed from Punjab’s Sadiqabad area, were gunned down by unknown assailants in Kalat district. According to Levies authorities, the incident occurred in Manogchar city’s Killi Malangzai area where the labourers were working on the installation of a tubewell. They were identified as Manwar Hussain, Zeeshan, Dalawar Hussain, and Muhammad Amin. The bodies were shifted to hospital for medico-legal procedures and later sent to their native towns. Investigation was started into the incident.
In a separate incident, four policemen were martyred in a firing incident at a police checkpoint in Nushki district. According to police, the incident occurred near a petrol pump in Garibabad area of Nushki where four unidentified armed men riding motorcycles opened fire at a police checkpoint, resulting in the martyrdom of four police personnel. The deceased were identified as Head Constable Nazir, Constable Manzoor, Constable Karim and Constable Qahir. The attackers managed to escape. The bodies were handed to their heirs after the medico-legal procedures. The police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to apprehend the culprits.
The incidents drew condemnation from President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and others.
Strongly condemning the killing of four labourers in Kalat and the attack on a police mobile in Nushki, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said in a statement that anti-state elements would be crushed, as there was no space for terrorists and their facilitators in the province. He termed the killing of four labourers “a brutal act of terrorism”.
He said those responsible for that heinous crime would be brought to justice. “The blood of police officers and innocent labourers will not go in vain,” he added.
The chief minister warned that there was no room for terrorists and their facilitators in Balochistan. “We will crush the backbone of anti-state elements and ensure the restoration of peace,” he said. He directed police and security forces to take decisive action against terrorists and ensure the protection of citizens’ life and property, which, he said, is the government’s top priority. “We will not allow peace to be disrupted at any cost,” he warned.
Separately, Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Mohammad Kakar in a statement made it clear that the Balochistan government would not engage in any negotiations with terrorists under any circumstances but, he stressed, it was always ready for talks with peaceful citizens.
Kakar said terrorism was the cause of instability in Balochistan, and that lack of development was causing backwardness. “Those who wish to achieve their goals by protesting on the streets are not well-wishers of the Baloch nation but are trying to create instability to please their masters,” he said.
The minister said in the past two days, political elements exploiting the bodies of terrorists blocked several national highways in Balochistan, including Saryab Road, causing public hardships.
He said the police used tear gas and shelling to clear the Saryab Road, resulting in the arrest of several protesters for disturbing public peace, adding that some political parties were using the situation to gain political advantage which, he warned, would not be allowed under any circumstances.
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said police used tear gas and a water cannon to disperse protesters, adding that there was evidence of armed men being present at the protest. He was responding to a question on Geo News’ programme Naya Pakistan. To another question, he said BYC leaders had been arrested on charges of attacking the Civil Hospital, staging a violent protest, inciting people and other offenses.
On the call of Baloch Yekjethi Committee’s (BYC), shutter down and wheel jam strikes were observed on Saturday in various parts of Balochistan, including Quetta. A partial shutter down strike was observed in the provincial capital, while the flow of traffic was low. Clashes between police and protesters were reported from some areas of Quetta.
A protest was held in Hub against the Quetta incident and arrests. The Quetta-Karachi highway was blocked at Bhawani, disrupting traffic and causing difficulties to motorists. A sit-in was also staged at the Quetta-Karachi National highway at Mughal Chowk in Kalat.
BYC central organiser Mahrang Baloch, Bebow Baloch, and some other activists were taken into custody Saturday morning from the site of a sit-in near the University of Balochistan.
Mahrang Baloch was shifted to the district jail in Huda after her arrest, police officials confirmed. A police officer informed that 17 people were arrested, including seven women. He added that after the arrests, Dr. Mahrang Baloch and other women were initially transferred to Bijli Ghar Police Station but later moved to Huda Jail in the afternoon. Mobile phone service in Quetta city was partially restored in the evening after it faced disruption.
The commissioner of Quetta Division said in a statement that BYC staged a protest on Friday, demanding the recovery of the bodies of individuals killed during the Jaffer Express operation. “However, the protest quickly turned violent as BYC protesters and their armed accomplices resorted to stone-pelting, indiscriminate firing, and attacks on law enforcement personnel. During the unrest, three individuals lost their lives due to firing by armed elements accompanying BYC leadership,” he added.
The commissioner said: “Civil authorities and police emphasized that the deceased individuals’ bodies needed examination to ascertain the actual circumstances of their deaths. Despite knowing that all three—one of whom was an Afghan national—were killed by their own associates, the BYC leadership refused to hand over the bodies. “At the request of the deceased’s families, police successfully recovered the bodies from the unlawful custody of BYC supporters and ensured their respectful handover to the respective families.”
It further stated that legal proceedings had been initiated against BYC leaders and their armed associates for inciting and abetting unlawful activities. “They have been booked under relevant laws for attacking the Civil Hospital, instigating violent protests, and other serious offenses. The administration remains committed to maintaining law and order and ensuring that all individuals involved in illegal activities are brought to justice.”
In a statement, the central spokesperson for the National Party strongly condemned the arrest of Mahrang Baloch and other protesters, saying that peaceful protest was a democratic right of every individual and organisation.
The party called for the immediate release of BYC leaders, urging the government and administration to initiate meaningful dialogue with the protesters.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) called on the Balochistan government to immediately release Mahrang Baloch and other BYC leaders and workers and initiate an urgent dialogue.
The HRCP urged: “All political parties, including those with legitimate support in Balochistan, must take the lead and engage with all stakeholders in the province, including civil society and academia, to resolve the province’s long-standing crisis.” It said excessive steps need to be avoided as “knee-jerk reactions” will exacerbate the situation.
News Desk adds: Reacting to the killing of four labourers in Kalat, President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in this tragic incident, Geo News reported. He emphasized for taking effective action against terrorist elements targeting unarmed workers. The president said targeting innocent workers and civilians is a most heinous and condemnable act.
The president expressed condolences to the families of those who died in the incident and offered prayers for the deceased and for patience to the heirs.
In his statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed that his government would not rest until all forms of terrorism were eliminated from the country. Expressing sorrow over the killings, the premier said: “In this hour of grief, we stand with the bereaved families.” He extended condolences to the victims’ families and prayed for their eternal peace. “Those who target the poor and working class are enemies of humanity,” remarked the PM.