Outcry in Baloch over killing of activist after forced disappearance
, by military personnel.
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Zeeshan had been campaigning for the safe return of his father, Zaheer, who was also forcibly disappeared by Pakistan's Frontier Corps in 2015. Zeeshan was 11 years old at that time, and his sister a 40-day-old newborn.
Zeeshan went missing on June 29 and his body was recovered the next day.
The incident is the latest in a series of "forced disappearances" that has long plagued Balochistan. According to a Human Rights Watch report, there are 8,463 documented cases of such disappearances between 2011 and 2024; the Pakistan Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances estimates at least 10,078 cases.
Zeeshan was abducted on June 29, around 8pm, after a football match. He was walking towards home when "two vehicles belonging to the state-backed death squad intercepted him", the Baloch Yakjehti Committee said. "Witnesses saw him beaten up, his hands bound and then thrown into one of the vehicles," the committee said.
That same night, family and residents of Panjgur blocked the CPEC road and began a sit-in, demanding Zeeshan's immediate release. By morning, they were mourning as Zeeshan's "bullet-riddled body was found dumped in Panjgur. His corpse bore clear signs of torture, bruises from sticks and blunt force, six bullets to the chest, and deep knife wounds", the committee said.
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First Post
a day ago
- First Post
Operation Baam: How Baloch resistance is shifting from symbolism to strategy
The Balochistan Liberation Front's operation was not symbolic or reactionary—it was surgical and strategic, demonstrating the growing maturity of the Baloch resistance against Pakistani domination, with vital support from local networks read more The BLF has made it clear that Operation Baam is not the culmination but the opening phase of a larger transformation in its military doctrine. (Representational image/Reuters) The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) has officially concluded Operation Baam, declaring it a historic success and a decisive chapter in the armed resistance against Pakistani occupation. From July 9 to the night of July 11, the operation swept across the length and breadth of Balochistan, targeting military outposts, intelligence networks, and economic infrastructure, leaving in its wake what the BLF describes as 'a shattered illusion of colonial control'. According to BLF, Operation Baam marked the first province-wide offensive of its kind, with 84 coordinated actions carried out across multiple districts—making it the most extensive armed campaign against the occupying Pakistani state in Balochistan to date. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Operation Baam—meaning 'first light of dawn' in Balochi—was not just a military campaign but a political and national declaration. It symbolised the arrival of a new, organised phase in the Baloch liberation movement, marked by precision, coordination, and an unflinching challenge to the occupying Pakistani state. Scale, Strategy, and Execution According to the final statement issued by Gwahram Baloch, the BLF spokesperson, the operation comprised 84 coordinated attacks across key districts of Balochistan. These included direct assaults on Frontier Corps (FC) and Army personnel, ambushes, drone takedowns, attacks on mineral convoys, and seizures of state checkpoints. At least 50 Pakistani Army and FC personnel were killed, and more than 51 others were wounded. In Musakhel, nine intelligence operatives linked to Military Intelligence (MI) and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) were killed at a highway checkpoint—an act that sent shockwaves through Pakistan's intelligence community and demonstrated the BLF's operational reach. In the Mand-Tump region alone, sustained blockades and attacks took place across Meerabad, Hothabad, Tagran, and Hairabad, including fierce strikes on military checkpoints at Balicha and Bodigdan. In Sibbi, FC and police posts were attacked, and the Red Zone MI office in Kharan came under direct fire. The Sarmachars, the Baloch militants, launched widespread sabotage operations against state infrastructure. They established over 22 strategic blockades and dozens of surprise checkpoints across Mand, Dasht, Panjgur, Sibbi, Jahoo, and Kharan, effectively paralysing military movement. In Washuk and Nodiz, they overran police and levy outposts, disarmed the personnel, issued stern warnings, and withdrew with control of the area. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Economic disruption was a central component: 25 vehicles, including gas tankers and mineral transport trucks, were destroyed or disabled. Financial targets and supply lines were deliberately hit to undercut both state authority and resource extraction efforts. Province-Wide Offensive From the Makran coast to the rugged heights of Koh-e-Sulaiman, Operation Baam unfolded with near-simultaneous assaults across a vast theatre. Fierce engagements were reported in Mand, Kolwah, Kech, Wadh, Kharan, Kalat, Quetta, Sibbi, and Naseerabad—signalling the operation's sweeping territorial span. In Panjgur, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) road—a critical artery of economic extraction—was blocked, while gas-carrying convoys were ambushed. Pakistani surveillance drones and quadcopters were shot down in Kolwah, Gwarkop, Jahoo, and Aashaal, effectively neutralising aerial monitoring capabilities. In Jahoo, army encampments in Darukoch, Doleji, and Nondara came under coordinated, multi-directional attacks. In Kalat's Kapoto, Dasht Goran, and Tok areas, five mobile towers were destroyed, severing key communication lines. In Kech district's Buleda area, Sarmachars burnt a United Bank Limited (UBL) branch to the ground and seized weapons from its security guards. Strategic road blockades, checkpoint takeovers, and attacks on police stations echoed across the region—reinforcing the BLF's presence on the ground. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In Khuzdar's Wadh area, convoys transporting minerals were struck in direct assaults, and the Wadh Pali Mas central camp in Khuzdar came under heavy attack. Meanwhile, in urban zones like Quetta and Sibbi, government offices and Red Zone assets came under precise fire—showing the reach of the armed resistance into administrative centres. Statement by BLF Spokesperson In his concluding statement, Gwahram Baloch addressed not only the occupying Pakistani forces but also the Punjabi ruling elite. He declared that the occupying state can no longer maintain its writ through violence, repression, and brute force, nor deceive the Baloch nation through conspiracies, divide-and-rule tactics, or the false promises of Islamic brotherhood and parliamentary politics. The BLF accused the Punjabi political and military establishment of perpetuating a colonial project disguised by democratic illusions. The organisation holds that the reality of Greater Punjab's domination—rooted in chauvinism and fascism—has now been fully exposed. With a stern warning, Gwahram emphasised that Balochistan will no longer remain the 'goose that lays golden eggs' and cautioned that any attempt to continue the forced occupation of Balochistan would be met with intensified resistance and bloodshed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In reference to Operation Baam, the spokesperson for the BLF stated that the operation not only represents a shift in the military strategy and operational strength of the Balochistan Liberation Front but also signifies a major development in the broader Baloch national liberation movement. The spokesperson further emphasised that through this operation, the BLF has sent a direct message to the occupying state of Pakistan that the days of its forced occupation and colonial plunder of Balochistan are numbered. Amid the aftermath of Operation Baam, the BLF issued a sharp clarification regarding the same incident in Musakhel, where nine individuals were taken off two buses and executed. Gwahram Baloch stated they were confirmed military and intelligence operatives identified through prior intelligence, not civilians. He dismissed state and media claims that innocent Punjabis were targeted, calling them part of a broader propaganda campaign to discredit the Baloch liberation movement. The spokesperson emphasised that during the operation, hundreds of Punjabi travellers were stopped, questioned, and allowed to proceed unharmed—reinforcing that identity-based targeting did not occur. 'This is not an apology,' he said, 'but a response to the Pakistani army's disinformation war.' The BLF warned international media to scrutinise state narratives and reaffirmed its commitment to distinguishing civilians from occupying forces. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Popular Support Operation Baam showed more than just armed strength; it revealed an evolved national liberation strategy. This was not symbolic or reactionary—it was surgical and strategic. It showed the maturity of the Baloch resistance movement, with local support networks playing critical roles. Militants appeared with modern weaponry, used thermal scopes and snipers, carried out public addresses, and dismantled surveillance infrastructure with practiced skill. The Pakistani state's reaction, as expected, was repressive. Mass arrests, curfews, internet shutdowns, and digital blackouts were imposed. In Quetta, attacks were reported in Hazarganji, Kirani Road, and Sona Khan—including grenade attacks and bombings on FC installations. Elsewhere, BLF fighters disabled gas tankers in Dalbandin and damaged multiple mineral-transporting convoys on the Quetta-Karachi and Quetta-Sibi highways. Snap checks and public addresses were carried out from Wadh and Kharan to Kalat and Dasht, often in broad daylight, signalling the organisation's territorial confidence. In areas like Dasht, Mand, and Kolwah, eyewitnesses reported that locals greeted fighters with slogans and support, even during active blockades. Videos also appeared on social media, and the organisation's media wing uploaded footage showing people enthusiastically greeting the BLF fighters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Political Intent and National Message The symbolic resonance of Operation Baam cannot be overstated. The name, meaning the first light of dawn, now echoes across Balochistan as a declaration of awakening. The operation not only shattered dozens of Pakistani military installations but also dealt a blow to the narrative that the Baloch liberation struggle is fragmented or fading. Instead, it has emerged renewed, bold, and coordinated. The BLF's ability to simultaneously target strategic assets, disrupt state control, and directly engage with local people indicates a new phase of resistance—one that cannot be silenced through conventional repression. A Shift Toward Total Resistance With the successful completion of Operation Baam, the BLF has demonstrated a shift from sporadic guerrilla actions to organised military offensives with national significance. It's clear message to Pakistan, and particularly to the Punjabi ruling structure, is one of defiance and inevitability. As the Baloch nation continues to rise in resistance, Operation Baam stands as a historic marker. It represents not just retaliation, but vision—a vision of sovereignty, freedom, and dignity, carved out of fire and sacrifice and echoing across the hills, plains, and coasts of occupied Balochistan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The BLF has made it clear that Operation Baam is not the culmination but the opening phase of a larger transformation in its military doctrine. From this point forward, even more lethal, widespread, and strategically coordinated operations will be carried out across Balochistan. As Gwahram Baloch stated, the longer the Pakistani ruling class—including politicians, intellectuals, and supporters—delays accepting Balochistan's independence and ending the occupation, the heavier the price they will have to pay. Deedag Mehr writes on Baloch armed organisations, with a focus on the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). He can be followed on X @DeedagMehr. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Balochistan will never be Pakistan: Baloch leader Qazi Rehan on 'Operation Baam'
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Qazi Dad Mohammad Rehan, Information Secretary of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), spoke extensively about the launch of "Operation Baam", a new wave of armed resistance targeting the Pakistan Army in Balochistan. Supporters of the Balochistan National Party (BNP) carry posters of arrested Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch during a protest in Quetta.(AFP) The operation, which began on Tuesday night, involved coordinated attacks across key districts including Panjgur, Surab, Kech, and Kharan, signalling a strategic escalation aimed at dismantling Pakistan's military infrastructure in the region. "Operation Baam, meaning 'Dawn,' marks a significant shift in our struggle. It shows that the Baloch people are prepared to take control of their destiny and resist Pakistani oppression through organised, effective action," said Qazi. According to the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), the operation represents a new phase in the armed conflict, designed to weaken the military's grip and send a clear message of defiance. Qazi emphasised that BNM is unique in Balochistan for its outright rejection of participation in Pakistan's parliamentary system. "We are the first party to boycott the Pakistani parliament," he said. 'We have made it clear, we do not want to live under Pakistani rule. Our fight is for complete independence, not for limited autonomy or token rights within Pakistan.' He explained that previous generations of Baloch leaders participated in parliamentary politics but saw no tangible benefits; instead, they witnessed cultural erosion and systemic marginalisation. Describing Operation Baam as a "symbolic operation," Qazi stressed its political significance beyond military tactics. "It proves that Balochistan has the strength and unity to govern itself if given independence. This challenges the narrative pushed by Pakistan and its allies that Balochistan would descend into chaos if freed," he said. The operation also serves as a message to both supporters and adversaries that Balochistan is not and will never be a part of Pakistan's future. Tracing the roots of the Baloch struggle, Qazi recounted how Pakistan forcefully annexed Balochistan in 1948, crushing its sovereignty soon after the country's creation. "Our people resisted from day one," he said. "The tribal leadership was the initial force behind the rebellion. But the BLF represents a new era, a movement driven by the people, not just chiefs. The common Baloch has found a voice and a weapon to fight back." Qazi highlighted the growing role of younger generations in the conflict, armed with advanced knowledge of guerrilla warfare and technology. "This is not just a traditional tribal fight anymore. It is a modern resistance movement with strategic goals," he explained. On the economic front, Qazi criticised Pakistan's development projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), particularly investments in Gwadar port. "Billions have been poured into our land, but the Baloch people remain poor, oppressed, and dispossessed of their resources," he said firmly. "Balochistan belongs to the Balochs, not to Punjab or any other part of Pakistan." Rehan appealed to the international community to recognise the legitimacy of the Baloch cause and warned that continued silence would only embolden Pakistan's military repression. "The world must understand that Balochistan's struggle is just and inevitable. Operation Baam is just the beginning of our renewed push for freedom," he concluded.
The Print
2 days ago
- The Print
Juice mixed with urine ‘served' to Kanwariyas, 2 held in UP
Ghaziabad (UP), Jul 13 (PTI) Two juice vendors were arrested in the Nandgram area following a complaint that claimed they were mixing urine into the juice served to Kanwariyas, police said on Sunday. The accused, identified as Zeeshan and Mahtab, were operating a juice shop at Sihani Chungi on the Delhi-Meerut Highway, a key route for the annual Kanwar Yatra.
