Gwadar (Balochistan): Pakistani armed forces today resorted to all kinds of brutalities, including direct firing at unarmed civilians, to disrupt a mammoth gathering of freedom-seeking Baloch people here in occupied Balochistan which has rattled the Pakistani State.
According to multiple sources, hundreds of civilians have been killed and injured in the brutal military crackdown on the participants of the ‘Baloch National Gathering’ programme which started yesterday.
“It is a complete war-like situation between the innocent and unarmed Baloch and the powerful, brutal, savage army of Pakistan,” said the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), which has organised the programme.
Millions of people from across Balochistan have descended here, overcoming immense difficulties posed by the Pakistani forces en route, as a show of strength in favour of independence.
As the night descended, the situation in Gwadar was extremely tense and dangerous amidst anticipation of a major assault by the Pakistani forces on the participants of the gathering and a sit-in here.
“Thousands of military personnel have brutally attacked the #BalochNationalGathering, directly firing on unarmed participants, killing and wounding hundreds,” said the BYC.
In a social media post, the BYC said, “The military has sealed Marine Drive from all sides and started a brutal crackdown against the participants.”
It said the military is not allowing ambulances to pick up the injured.
The military is also illegally abducting and torturing participants, the BYC said, adding, “they are trying to arrest and harm our leadership.”
According to the BYC, which has been giving regular updates, “Gwadar is under complete siege; everyone seen on the roads is being arrested, and houses are being raided.”
Earlier in the day, Pakistani forces set fire to vehicles and participants of Baloch National Gathering.
“The Pakistan Army and FC (Frontier Corps) engaged in brutal and violent attack on the peaceful Baloch gathering and sit-in at Gwadar,” BYC said.
“Surrounding the dharna place from all sides, they indiscriminately fired upon the peaceful protesters and subjected them to severe violence, resulting in multiple injuries and the arrest of hundreds,” it said.
“The Pakistani State committed extreme oppression and tyranny against peaceful protesters in Gwadar,” said BYC leader Mahrang Baloch, who is spearheading the agitation.
“The entire city has been held hostage at gunpoint by the Pakistani military. We are not being allowed to evacuate the injured, nor are ambulances being given passage,” said Mahrang, who has emerged as the top Baloch leader.
In yet another post, BYC said thousands more are marching towards Gwadar to join the Baloch National Gathering but the Pakistan Army has blocked the road at the Talar Checkpoint.
Earlier at this point, the Pakistan Army brutally attacked the participants, including firing directly at them, it said.
However, they could not force the caravan back, and now the participants are stuck at this checkpoint, resisting the oppression and occupation, it added.
“We request the Baloch masses all around Balochistan to teach the oppressor a lesson: the Baloch will never be afraid of your brutalities,” the BYC said.
People from every corner of Balochistan are urged to observe shutter-down strikes, block roads, and resist this oppression by any possible means, it said.
“To the international community and the people of Balochistan, you are witnessing the gravest violations against the Baloch people by Pakistani colonial authorities. Standing idly by will further strengthen the oppressor to inflict more pain and cause more destruction,” the BYC said.
“We urge the United Nations and Amnesty International to take notice of what is happening in Balochistan,” it added.
