Over 80 Pakistani Personnel Killed During 'Operation Almas' In Gwadar Offensive By Balochistan Liberation Front

The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) has claimed that more than 80 Pakistani military and intelligence personnel were killed during a large-scale coordinated offensive known as Operation Almas, conducted across Gwadar and nearby areas in Balochistan, India Today reported.

The group said the operation commenced on 22 October and focused on military installations, intelligence facilities and security checkpoints. The claims have not been independently verified.

According to a statement issued on 27 October by BLF spokesperson Major Gwahram Baloch, the offensive involved simultaneous attacks on numerous security targets, reflecting what the group described as one of its most extensive recent operations against Pakistani state forces.

The BLF alleged that its fighters inflicted heavy losses on Pakistani forces while also destroying 12 armoured vehicles and military supply trucks. The group further claimed to have shot down four quadcopters and two surveillance drones during the fighting.

Among the most significant targets cited by the BLF was a major Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) camp in Gwadar. The group stated that its fighters launched assaults on the facility as well as military positions in Gabd and Rimdan, key locations situated near Pakistan's border regions.

The organisation claimed that its forces maintained control of the principal FWO camp for more than 20 hours amid intense clashes with Pakistani security personnel. The operation reportedly extended across multiple sites in and around Gwadar, with attacks directed at military infrastructure and surveillance assets.

The BLF also stated that it seized control of two police stations during the offensive, describing the action as part of a wider effort to disrupt the security apparatus in the region.

A notable aspect of the group's account was the prominence given to female fighters. The BLF said the operation was named after Commander Almas Baloch, whom it described as a central figure in both the planning and battlefield leadership of the campaign. According to the organisation, her role was instrumental in shaping and directing the offensive.

Operation Almas comes amid a long-running insurgency in Balochistan, where separatist groups have frequently targeted Pakistani security forces, government installations and infrastructure projects. Gwadar, a strategically important port city, has remained a focal point because of its significance to regional development plans and security operations.

In its statement, the BLF also warned of further attacks against Pakistani military installations and economic ventures, including projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The group indicated that it intends to continue targeting both security infrastructure and economic assets associated with the Pakistani state.

The threat underscores the continuing security challenges facing Balochistan, where militant groups have repeatedly opposed state authority and major development initiatives, particularly those connected to CPEC. The BLF's latest claims, if accurate, would mark a significant escalation in the scale and intensity of militant operations in the region.

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Balochistan Liberation Front Claims Military Intelligence Captain, SSG Personnel Killed As Operation Almas Expands Across Gwadar

The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) has claimed that its fighters killed a Military Intelligence (MI) captain and several members of the Pakistan Army's Special Services Group (SSG) during its ongoing Operation Almas in Balochistan.

In a statement issued by BLF spokesperson Major Gwahram Baloch, the group said the operation was continuing with "full intensity and success" across multiple fronts. The organisation alleged that Pakistani security forces had suffered significant human and material losses and had been compelled to retreat from several positions following clashes.

The BLF claimed its fighters overran the main camp of the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) at Gwadar Zero Point and raised the group's flag at the site. According to the organisation, this marked a significant development in the operation, which is centred on Gwadar, a strategically important coastal district and a key component of infrastructure projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The group further stated that its fighters seized control of the Muzhani police station, capturing official weapons and military equipment. It also alleged that one police official was killed during the confrontation.

In a separate incident in the Gubd area, the BLF claimed responsibility for an attack on a Pakistani security forces convoy. The organisation alleged that one army vehicle was destroyed and that several personnel were killed or wounded in the strike.

The BLF additionally claimed that fighters had taken control of the police checkpoint at Gubd Cross during the operation.

According to the organisation, Operation Almas remains active across several locations in Balochistan. The group said further operational details, including a comprehensive assessment of casualties and losses, would be released after the campaign concludes.

Additional reports linked to Operation Almas indicate that the offensive has focused on security installations and military-linked infrastructure in and around Gwadar. Some reports have also associated the operation with the BLF's Saddu Operational Battalion, named after veteran commander Mamo Saddu Marri, whom the organisation regards as a founding figure.

However, several of the casualty figures and battlefield claims made by the BLF have not been independently verified. Pakistani accounts have disputed aspects of the group's narrative, including claims regarding the capture of military facilities and the extent of security force losses.

The latest claims emerge against the backdrop of longstanding tensions in Balochistan, where separatist insurgent groups have frequently targeted security forces, government facilities and infrastructure projects. The province has also remained the focus of persistent allegations concerning enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have repeatedly voiced concerns over reports of missing activists, students and political workers allegedly taken by security agencies without due legal process.

The BLF has claimed responsibility for all attacks carried out under Operation Almas and maintains that the campaign is still ongoing.

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Armed Gunmen Abduct 20 Police Recruits From Highway Van In Balochistan

A major security incident has intensified concerns in Pakistan’s troubled Balochistan province after 20 police recruits were abducted by armed men in Mastung district while travelling home from training.

The recruits were undergoing training at the Kalat Police Training Centre and were reportedly heading home for weekend leave when their passenger van was intercepted on the Quetta-Karachi Highway.

According to officials, a group of armed men riding motorcycles and carrying automatic weapons stopped the vehicle in the Gorgina area of Mastung before taking the recruits away to an undisclosed location.

The attackers reportedly released the van driver and several civilian passengers before fleeing with the recruits, indicating that the security personnel were the specific targets of the operation.

The abducted personnel were said to be former members of the Levies Force, which has since been merged into the police service. Many of the recruits reportedly belonged to districts within the Rakhshan division.

Security forces launched an extensive search operation shortly after the incident, deploying personnel across surrounding mountainous areas and establishing checkpoints in and around Mastung as part of efforts to locate the missing recruits.

At the time of the abduction, no organisation had formally claimed responsibility. However, reports suggested that Baloch separatist militants were among the groups being investigated in connection with the incident.

The kidnapping comes amid a wider pattern of attacks and abductions targeting security personnel and government officials in Balochistan, a province that has witnessed persistent insurgent activity, armed assaults and security operations for years.

Recent incidents in the province have included attacks on police checkpoints, kidnappings of public officials and assaults on transport routes, highlighting the continuing security challenges faced by authorities in the region.

The latest abduction has further underscored concerns about the safety of security personnel travelling through remote areas of Balochistan and the ability of militant groups to carry out high-profile operations against state institutions.

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Pakistan's Minorities Continue To Face Severe Rights Violations Despite Legal Reforms

Religious minorities in Pakistan continue to experience serious violations of their fundamental rights despite recent legislative measures intended to strengthen protections, according to a new report released by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).

The report, Sanctuary Denied: Freedom of Religion or Belief in 2025/26, welcomes the enactment of the National Commission for Minorities Act 2025 and legislation in Punjab and Balochistan that raised the minimum marriageable age to 18. However, it argues that a significant gap remains between legal commitments and their implementation.

HRCP noted that the National Commission for Minorities has still not been constituted months after the law was passed, preventing the body from carrying out its intended role in safeguarding minority rights.

The report highlights the continued misuse of Pakistan's blasphemy laws, stating that hundreds of people accused of blasphemy remain caught in prolonged legal uncertainty. It also raises concerns that alleged organised networks accused of entrapping individuals in blasphemy cases have yet to face investigation.

Religious minorities continue to face various forms of persecution, including hate speech, discrimination and barriers to equal citizenship. HRCP warned that blasphemy allegations are increasingly being exploited against vulnerable individuals, often with severe consequences.

Particular concern was expressed over conditions facing the Ahmadiyya community. The report documented two extremist attacks in Chenab Nagar and cited growing efforts to exclude Ahmadis from public, social and commercial life.

Christian and Hindu communities remain especially vulnerable to abductions, forced marriages and alleged forced conversions. According to the report, girls from these communities are disproportionately affected, with poverty and inadequate police responses worsening their exposure to abuse.

HRCP also identified discriminatory employment practices, the increasing Islamisation of school curricula and limited coverage of minority concerns in mainstream media as evidence of deeper structural inequalities affecting religious minorities across the country.

Speaking at the report's launch, HRCP Director Farah Zia warned that the state's approach towards religious minorities was becoming increasingly exclusionary and was failing to uphold the principle of equal citizenship.

Minority rights advocate Nabila Bhatti highlighted the case of Kamran Gill, a Christian medical practitioner in Sheikhupura whose dispensary was reportedly set on fire by a mob on 9 October following allegations that he had shared blasphemous material on social media.

HRCP Punjab Vice-Chair Raja Ashraf said blasphemy accusations were increasingly being weaponised to exploit and endanger vulnerable people.

The report urges the federal government to fully implement the minorities commission law, investigate alleged blasphemy-entrapment networks and hold accountable those responsible for inciting violence against minority communities. It also calls for stronger safeguards against forced marriages and conversions, improved law-enforcement responses and greater protection for those defending minority rights.

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Research And Advocacy Group Demands Action: Urges Delhi To Summon Pak Envoy Over PoK Human Rights Violations

The Jammu-based Research and Advocacy Group (RAAG) has called upon the Government of India to summon the Chargé d’Affaires of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi and register a strong diplomatic protest over reports of killings, injuries, arrests, restrictions and humanitarian hardships affecting residents of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK).

In a memorandum addressed to External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar, the organisation has sought both an oral and written démarche to Pakistan, followed by an official Note Verbale formally recording India’s concerns while reaffirming its sovereign position regarding PoK.

The memorandum was submitted by Advocate Madhavi Sambyal, authorised signatory of RAAG, who highlighted reports emerging from PoK and appeals from local residents seeking protection of their lives, liberty, dignity and fundamental rights.

RAAG argued that the people of PoK are part of the wider Jammu and Kashmir community and should not be viewed as detached from India simply because they are separated by the Line of Control and live under what India considers Pakistan’s illegal occupation.

The organisation maintained that appeals being made by residents of PoK during the current crisis should not go unanswered and deserve a visible and carefully considered response from New Delhi that remains consistent with India’s sovereignty and national security interests.

In its submission, RAAG reiterated India’s longstanding position that the entire territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh form an integral part of India. It also referred to the unanimous Parliamentary Resolution adopted on 22 February 1994, which called upon Pakistan to vacate territories under its control.

Particular emphasis was placed on Section 14(4) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. The provision reserves 24 seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly for areas presently under Pakistan’s occupation, with those seats remaining vacant until residents can elect their representatives.

According to RAAG, this provision demonstrates that Parliament has recognised not only the territory under occupation but also the people residing there as an integral part of the constitutional framework.

The organisation also expressed concern over what it described as the failure of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to discuss the conditions faced by people in PoK despite the statutory recognition accorded to them.

RAAG noted that Assembly members have previously debated international issues relating to Palestine, Gaza, Iran, Israel and the United States. However, it argued that similar attention has not been given to the hardships reportedly faced by residents across the Line of Control.

While acknowledging that concern for civilians affected by global conflicts is legitimate, the organisation questioned why people living in territory historically and constitutionally linked to Jammu and Kashmir have not received comparable institutional attention.

According to the memorandum, this absence of discussion risks creating the impression that both the territory of PoK and its residents have gradually faded from the institutional consciousness of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

RAAG stated that this perceived disconnect was among the reasons it approached the Union Government directly, seeking reassurance that the people of PoK have not been forgotten or abandoned within India’s national consciousness.

The organisation has simultaneously appealed to the Speaker and members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to initiate substantive debate on the issue and formally acknowledge the concerns and appeals emerging from PoK.

RAAG stressed that the issue extends beyond territorial claims and concerns the welfare, rights and dignity of people who, under India’s constitutional position, remain part of the broader Jammu and Kashmir community.

The memorandum ultimately urges the Government of India to formally convey its grave concern to Pakistan regarding the reported treatment of civilians in PoK and to seek an immediate end to actions resulting in loss of life, injuries, arbitrary detentions and humanitarian suffering.

Copies of the memorandum have also been forwarded to senior Ministry of External Affairs officials handling Pakistan-related matters, including the Foreign Secretary and officials of the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran Division.

The appeal comes amid continuing debate over India’s constitutional and political position on territories across the Line of Control, with RAAG contending that the welfare and representation of people residing in PoK should remain a matter of national and institutional attention.

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World Sindhi Congress Demands UN Action To Protect Sindh's Territorial Integrity And Human Rights

During her intervention at the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Hafeezan Wadhio highlighted escalating international concerns regarding the rights of the indigenous people of Sindh.

Speaking on behalf of the World Sindhi Congress, where she serves as an executive committee member, she urged global human rights mechanisms to intervene before the ongoing political crisis worsens further.

She expressed serious apprehension over renewed state proposals aimed at creating additional provinces or administrative divisions within the region, warning that such measures would fragment Sindh's historically recognised territory.

Though no formal constitutional amendment to partition the province has been enacted yet, Wadhio stressed that the situation requires immediate preventive international attention to forestall irreversible damage to the region's socio-political fabric.

Delving into historical precedents, the activist noted that Karachi was detached from provincial administration shortly after the formation of Pakistan, drastically altering the region's governance dynamics.

She further pointed out that during the implementation of the controversial One Unit scheme, Sindh was stripped of its administrative autonomy and governed merely as a sub-province for fifteen years.

These historical grievances regarding territorial encroachment are currently compounded by widespread human rights violations perpetrated against the Sindhi population across various administrative sectors.

For an indigenous historical community, land rights, cultural identity, political representation, and local ownership over natural resources are deeply interconnected and cannot be separated from one another.

Every section of the Sindhi population has unanimously rejected any proposal or policy aimed at dividing or re-delineating their ancestral homeland.

Any structural attempt to fragment the territory would severely compromise the Sindhi people's fundamental rights to political participation, self-determination, and long-term cultural survival.

She called upon the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and associated special procedures to maintain strict monitoring over all executive actions altering Sindh's territorial status.

The representative urged the global body to examine how these geographical re-alignments directly threaten human rights, political inclusion, and environmental equity across the region.

The intervention followed the comprehensive Sindh Conference 2026 convened in Geneva by the World Sindhi Congress to address critical issues including resource distribution and arbitrary land acquisitions.

Scholars at the forum highlighted how vast tracts of agricultural land are being expropriated for commercial initiatives and mega corporate farming ventures, directly endangering local food security.

Delegates raised severe concerns regarding environmental justice and water allocation, particularly the diversion of the Indus River waters through newly proposed canal schemes that jeopardize downstream communities.

Experts cited reports indicating that severe downstream flow reductions have led to massive seawater intrusion, damaging nearly 12 lakh acres of fertile agricultural land along the Indus Delta.

Human rights activists further called attention to financial disparities, pointing out that resource allocation models under the National Finance Commission fail to properly compensate the region's tax contributions.

Beyond economic challenges, activists at the UN gathering detailed persistent security concerns, including allegations of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial actions, and targeted intimidation of civil society members.

Community advocates also reiterated calls for robust international mechanisms to safeguard vulnerable religious minorities, uphold democratic norms, and protect women and children from gender-based abuse.

The delegation emphasised that international scrutiny remains essential to ensure that developmental projects and administrative realignments do not violate fundamental rights or undermine the rule of law.

The World Sindhi Congress reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to advocating for the democratic rights, cultural preservation, and environmental security of the Sindhi people through peaceful diplomatic channels worldwide.

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Activist Tasleema Akhter Raises Concerns Over Human Rights Violations In PoK At UNHRC

In Geneva, socio-political activist Tasleema Akhter has raised serious concerns regarding the deteriorating human rights situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, commonly referred to as PoK.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, held at the Palais des Nations, she highlighted severe allegations of extrajudicial killings, detentions, and communication curbs in the region.

Akhter stated that citizens in PoK are subjected to state-sponsored violence simply for demanding their basic and fundamental rights, alongside fair access to essential commodities.

The activist revealed that the administration in PoK has enacted a total internet shutdown and detained numerous journalists, media personnel, and social activists who attempted to report on the ground realities.

She described the actions of the Pakistani administration in PoK as extremely brutal, heartless, and painful, noting that the escalating violence has left residents with no choice but to speak out for their loved ones.

Akhter called upon authorities for the immediate release of all detained social activists and journalists, while demanding the swift restoration of full internet services across PoK.

Directly addressing international stakeholders, she urged the United Nations Human Rights Council to step up and assume responsibility for the ongoing loss of innocent civilian lives in the territory.

She also advocated for independent inquiries into each death caused by Pakistani state action, emphasising the need for free, fair, and unhindered access to relevant information regarding these cases.

The unrest in PoK stems largely from sustained, peaceful public demonstrations spearheaded by the Joint Awami Action Committee and local civil society groups against sky-rocketing food inflation, high electricity tariffs, and poor governance.

The response from security personnel involved widespread arrests, physical violence, heavy-handed reprisals, and severe restrictions on local civic spaces, triggering large-scale public discontent.

Drawing a sharp contrast, Akhter pointed out the stark difference in growth, stability, and human rights between PoK and Indian Jammu and Kashmir. She noted that Indian Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing substantial socio-economic progress, driven by comprehensive skill development initiatives, entrepreneurship support, and expanding opportunities for youth.

Programs spearheaded by bodies like the Jammu and Kashmir Skill Development Mission have provided crucial training to thousands of young people across diverse domains, including technology, healthcare, agriculture, and renewable energy.

Akhter highlighted that young individuals in Indian Jammu and Kashmir are actively engaging in various constructive activities and successfully establishing their own commercial ventures.

She attributed this positive dynamic to tailored financial assistance from the government, including generous loan packages and capital subsidies intended to assist young entrepreneurs in launching and scaling Start-Ups.

Furthermore, she emphasized that peaceful conditions, robust urban and rural infrastructure projects, and flourishing tourism have resulted in a steady decline in unemployment rates across Indian Jammu and Kashmir.

In contrast, she reiterated that citizens in PoK face extreme physical violence, police brutality, and severe torture even when peacefully protesting for cheap essential goods and basic constitutional rights.

Concluding her address, Akhter urged the international community to hold Pakistani security forces and government authorities strictly accountable for the ongoing bloodshed and systemic violations occurring in PoK.

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Baloch Liberation Army Claims Khuzdar Strike Under 'Operation Marg-E-Gaddaran', Five Killed

The Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s attack near the compound of Shafiq-ur-Rehman Mengal in Khuzdar, alleging that five people, including a police officer, were killed in the operation. The incident was reported by The Balochistan Post.

According to the statement, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said the group’s fighters targeted what it described as an “important and active base” belonging to Mengal in the Awak area of Aranji, Wadh. The organisation claimed that all five armed men present at the site were associated with an alleged “death squad”.

The BLA further stated that its fighters seized weapons and other military equipment following the attack. Those killed were identified as Abdul Hayee, Naimatullah, Yahya, Naseer Ahmed and Noora Mohammad Zai. The group accused Noora Mohammad, described as a police officer, of working for the alleged “death squad” under the cover of a government uniform.

The attack was described as part of the BLA’s “Operation Marg-e-Gaddaran”, or “Death to Traitors”, which had been announced earlier this year against individuals and armed groups accused of operating under state patronage.

The spokesperson linked this operation to the BLA’s Majeed Brigade attack on Mengal’s main compound in Khuzdar on July 8, where the group claimed 34 of Mengal’s associates were killed, while Mengal himself escaped in a bulletproof vehicle.

The BLA said that under “Operation Marg-e-Gaddaran”, it would continue targeting what it calls “traitors” and their operatives. The organisation claimed that its military units remained continuously active in destroying alleged secret bases. It also issued what it described as a final warning to people associated with Mengal or other alleged “death squads”.

The statement urged those individuals to sever ties, end intelligence or military cooperation, and return to civilian life. The BLA said that those who withdrew from such associations would not be harmed. However, it warned that anyone continuing to provide information or assistance to Mengal would be regarded as a “national traitor” and directly targeted.

The group further declared that “Operation Marg-e-Gaddaran” would continue “with full intensity and strength” until, in its words, Balochistan had been “completely purged of traitors”. The BLA reiterated its commitment to intensifying armed operations against those it accuses of working under state patronage.

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Pakistani Military Aircraft Reportedly Conduct Airstrikes In Kalat Balochistan

Pakistani military aircraft reportedly conducted airstrikes at two locations in Kalat on Monday, a day after a drone targeted a vehicle in Manguchar.

According to The Balochistan Post, helicopter shelling and quadcopter attacks were also reported from several parts of the district.

A jet aircraft reportedly carried out an airstrike in the Chappar area of Kalat. A powerful blast was heard in the area, though there was no immediate information about casualties or the extent of damage. Another explosion was reported near Took and Dasht-e-Goran. While the exact location of the blast could not be confirmed, jet aircraft were reportedly seen flying over the area around the time of the explosion.

On Sunday, a drone reportedly targeted a vehicle in Manguchar. Details regarding possible casualties or damage were not immediately available.

Separately, gunship helicopters allegedly shelled Rudeenjo and nearby areas for several hours on Sunday. Quadcopter attacks were also reported from the region. Communication disruptions and movement restrictions in the affected areas have made it difficult to independently verify the reports or obtain comprehensive information about possible casualties and damage.

The reported attacks come amid a series of military operations and aerial strikes across Balochistan in recent weeks. Several incidents have led to allegations of civilian casualties.

On September 10, four civilians were reportedly killed and several others injured after Frontier Corps personnel allegedly opened fire on a wedding gathering in Wadh, Khuzdar. Seven-year-old Shahzaib was among those injured.

Earlier, on August 21, four orchard workers were reportedly killed and three others wounded in a suspected drone strike in the Gaith area of Khadkocha, Mastung.

On August 12, more than 20 people, including women and children, were reportedly killed or injured in Gidar Goandhan, Surab, following what was described as a Pakistani airstrike on residential areas.

Pakistan’s military rejected that account, stating that militants preparing a vehicle-borne explosive device were killed when it detonated prematurely. The military further said that subsequent explosions resulted in civilian casualties.

However, residents and rights groups have rejected the military’s version of events and maintained that the casualties were caused by an airstrike.

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Baloch Liberation Army And Baloch Republican Guard Claim Deadly Convoy And Lithium Site Attack

Balochistan witnessed a fresh escalation of violence as both the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and the Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) claimed responsibility for a series of coordinated operations across Lasbela, Jiwani, Mashkel and Kachhi.

The reported incidents included a deadly attack on a Pakistani military convoy, the killing of four individuals allegedly linked to Military Intelligence, the destruction of equipment at a lithium exploration site, and road blockades in Kachhi district.

The BLA stated that its Fateh Squad targeted a convoy belonging to the Pakistani military’s 15 FF Bomb Disposal Party in the Kashari area of Wallapat, Lasbela. The attack began with an improvised explosive device blast against a military vehicle, followed by direct firing.

The group claimed that two vehicles were completely destroyed and two others severely damaged. According to the BLA, nine military personnel were killed and more than eleven wounded, including members of the Light Engineering Battalion and 15 FF.

Pakistani officials confirmed the incident but reported lower casualties, stating that four security personnel, including a Naib Subedar and two Levies personnel, were killed, while seven others, including a civilian, were injured. Authorities withheld further details.

The BLA further claimed responsibility for what it described as an intelligence-based operation in Jiwani. During this action, four individuals allegedly associated with the Pakistani military and Military Intelligence were killed.

The group also announced that its fighters seized control of a lithium exploration site in Mashkel. During the raid, four drilling machines and five vehicles were set ablaze. Employees of the company were reportedly detained but later released after being warned.

The BLA reiterated its opposition to lithium exploration and mining projects in Balochistan, warning both local and international companies against involvement. It declared that lithium extraction and exploration would be treated as legitimate targets under its strategy of “economic blockade”.

Meanwhile, the BRG confirmed that its fighters carried out road blockades and snap-checking operations at several points in Kachhi district. Vehicles were stopped and checked, while patrols were conducted in the area.

The BRG stated that no state personnel were encountered during the operations but claimed responsibility for the activities. Both organisations emphasised that such actions would continue until what they described as the liberation of Balochistan.

The targeting of lithium exploration sites highlights the growing intersection between insurgency and resource politics in the region. Lithium, considered a critical mineral for global energy transition, has drawn increasing interest from international companies.

The BLA’s explicit opposition to such projects signals a strategy to disrupt economic initiatives that it perceives as exploitative. This adds a new dimension to the insurgency, linking armed resistance with resource nationalism.

The Pakistani authorities have yet to release comprehensive details of the convoy attack or the lithium site incident. However, the claims by both groups underscore the persistence of insurgent activity across Balochistan, with operations ranging from direct military engagements to economic sabotage.

The emphasis on road blockades and snap-checking also reflects attempts to assert control over local mobility and logistics.

The BLA and BRG’s statements reaffirm their commitment to continuing armed operations until their stated objective of an independent Balochistan is achieved. The incidents further illustrate the complexity of the conflict, where military, economic and political dimensions are increasingly intertwined.

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Baloch Liberation Army Claims 28 Operations, Reports 52 Pakistani Personnel Killed Across Balochistan

The Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for 28 operations across Balochistan between 1 and 7 September, stating that 52 Pakistani military personnel were killed and several others injured. The group also confirmed that 12 of its fighters were killed during clashes with Pakistani forces. These claims were reported by The Balochistan Post on X.

The operations were said to have taken place in Pasni, Kharan, Kalat, Turbat, Mastung, Surab, Tump, Pishin, Jhal Magsi, Noshki, Chagai and Quetta. The BLA described the attacks as part of its ongoing campaign against Pakistani forces and infrastructure projects it considers exploitative.

According to the statement, the first operation occurred on 1 September at Zero Point in Pasni, Gwadar. BLA fighters attacked a joint police and Levies post along with checkpoints belonging to Customs and the Coastal Police. The group claimed it seized weapons and military equipment, took control of the checkpoints, and later set them on fire, destroying the posts.

The BLA also reported an ambush on a Pakistani military convoy at Albat in Kharan and an attack on personnel transporting armoured vehicles at Garari in Kalat. It claimed that several personnel were killed or injured and three armoured vehicles were severely damaged.

On 2 September, the group said its fighters targeted a Pakistani military armoured vehicle with an improvised explosive device at Guro in Mastung’s Khadkocha area. The convoy was then ambushed, with the BLA claiming four personnel were killed and more than seven injured.

On 3 September, the BLA’s Special Tactical Operations Squad carried out an attack in Hajika, Surab, using an explosives-laden vehicle against a Pakistani military convoy. The group claimed one military vehicle was destroyed and seven personnel were killed.

The Fateh Squad of the BLA was reported to have attacked Pakistani forces at Ziarat Cross in Pishin. The group claimed 18 personnel were killed and five injured, while two vehicles were destroyed. Weapons and military equipment were also seized.

Further attacks were claimed in Tump, Mastung, Kalat and Jhal Magsi. The BLA also said it was responsible for the killings of Abdul Rehman Langove, described as the Noshki district president of the Balochistan Awami Party, and Rehmat Saeed in Quetta. The group accused both of working as operatives for Pakistani forces.

The statement additionally referred to clashes at Nokchah in Chagai on 31 August. The BLA claimed 16 Pakistani military personnel, including a senior officer, were killed, while 10 of its fighters also died in the fighting.

The group reiterated its stance that its “economic blockade” against Pakistani forces and projects would continue on major highways across Balochistan. It pledged to sustain armed operations until the establishment of what it described as an independent and sovereign Balochistan.

These casualty figures and claims were reported by The Balochistan Post and attributed to the BLA. Independent verification of the group’s claims remains difficult due to restricted access to conflict zones in Balochistan.

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Baloch Liberation Army Ambush Military Convoy, 13 Soldiers Killed And Multiple Vehicles Destroyed In Mastung

The Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for a major attack on a Pakistani military convoy in Mastung district, stating that 13 soldiers were killed and at least 10 injured.

According to spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch, the group’s fighters destroyed an armoured vehicle with an improvised explosive device in Khadkocha on the night of 22 August, before ambushing another armoured vehicle and accompanying vehicles.

The BLA said its Special Tactical Operations Squad carried out the operation.

Local sources confirmed that one armoured vehicle was destroyed in the explosion and another damaged. They added that armed fighters subsequently ambushed the convoy, causing further damage to another military vehicle.

Regional sources reported that the bodies of two soldiers and eight injured personnel were taken to Nawab Ghaus Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital in Mastung, while other injured personnel were airlifted to the Combined Military Hospital in Quetta. Pakistani authorities have not released official casualty figures.

Following the attack, the Balochistan Home Department imposed an indefinite curfew in Khadkocha and surrounding areas from 7 AM on 23 August. Residents were ordered to remain indoors, with movement on roads and in markets suspended. Officials said the measure was necessary due to security concerns and ongoing operations in the area.

The BLA also claimed responsibility for a separate attack in Hairabad, Turbat, on 23 August, stating that three soldiers were killed and three injured.

Officials confirmed that an FC road search team was attacked but reported only three injuries. They said six armed men on motorcycles threw a grenade and opened fire before fleeing when FC personnel returned fire.

The BLA further claimed eight other operations in Noshki, Kalat, Kharan, Washuk, Zehri and Chagai, promising more details in its weekly statement. Local sources emphasised that Khadkocha has become a persistent challenge for security forces, recalling a major attack in the same area on 17 July when a convoy of more than 18 buses and security vehicles travelling from Quetta towards Karachi was targeted. The BLA had claimed responsibility for that incident as well, alleging dozens of casualties.

In a separate incident on 22 August, a bridge on the N-25 national highway between Anjeeri Cross near Khadkocha was destroyed in an explosion. Authorities said unidentified individuals targeted the bridge with explosives, though no casualties were reported

Officials did not immediately provide details on the extent of the damage or its impact on traffic along the highway, which is a key route connecting Balochistan with Karachi and other regions. This was the third reported bridge attack within a week.

On 21 August, a bridge in the Zidi area of Khuzdar was destroyed in an explosion, while earlier a bridge on the Kharan–Karachi highway in the Sotagan area of Kharan was demolished using heavy machinery. No group has claimed responsibility for the bridge attacks.

The Mastung ambush highlights the growing intensity of insurgent operations in Balochistan, with the BLA continuing to target military convoys, infrastructure and security personnel.

The imposition of curfews and repeated attacks on strategic road links underscore the deteriorating security environment in the province, where insurgent groups are increasingly challenging state authority.

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J&K SIA Reopens Wandhama Massacre And Kashmiri Pandit Killings Amid Heightened Security

The Jammu and Kashmir State Investigation Agency has reopened several cases linked to the killings of Kashmiri Pandits. Among them is the 1998 Wandhama massacre in Ganderbal, where twenty‑three Kashmiri Pandits were allegedly killed by terrorists.

This case, long considered one of the most brutal episodes of militancy, is now being revisited with renewed investigative focus.

The agency is also probing the murder of Sher‑e‑Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences nurse Sarla Bhat, the killing of author Sarvanand Koul Premi, the assassination of BJP leader Tika Lal Taploo and the targeted killing of Judge Neelkanth Ganju. These cases represent some of the most significant attacks on Kashmiri Pandits during the peak of militancy in the Valley.

Security has been strengthened in Shopian following reported threats to members of the Kashmiri Pandit community. Officials confirmed that measures have been stepped up to ensure the safety of residents amid intelligence inputs suggesting possible risks.

As part of its investigation, the SIA has conducted raids at multiple locations across the Kashmir Valley. These raids are aimed at tracking suspected terror associates and gathering evidence to bring the reopened cases to a decisive stage.

Earlier, on 12 August, the SIA carried out searches at nine locations across Jammu and Kashmir in connection with the 1990 Kashmiri Pandit double murder case. This case was originally registered at Police Station Dooru in Anantnag and is now under the agency’s jurisdiction.

The double murder case revolves around the abduction and killing of Kashmiri Pandit poet and social worker Sarwanand Koul Premi and his son Virender Koul. Both were residents of Soaf Shali in Kokernag, Anantnag.

On the night of 29 April 1990, armed militants abducted them from their home. Their tortured bodies were discovered hanging from a tree on 1 May 1990, a chilling reminder of the brutality inflicted upon the community.

The latest searches mark a significant development in the long‑running investigation. The SIA is intensifying efforts to uncover the circumstances surrounding these killings and to ensure accountability after decades of delay.

Earlier, on 8 August, Counter‑Intelligence Kashmir conducted simultaneous search operations at multiple locations across Anantnag, Shopian and Baramulla districts. These operations were part of a broader program to track down individuals suspected of involvement in terror activities.

During one of the searches at a residential house in Hiller Shahabad, Anantnag, a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Farooq Ahmad seized two digital devices. Officials confirmed that the seizure was linked to FIR No. 03/2023 registered at Police Station CIK Kashmir under Sections 153A and 505 of the Indian Penal Code, along with Sections 13 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The reopening of these cases underscores the determination of investigative agencies to pursue justice for Kashmiri Pandit victims. It also highlights the renewed focus on legacy crimes that have long remained unresolved, offering hope of accountability to families who have waited decades for closure.

ANI

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'Shameless Generals, Pack Your Bags': Protesters In PoK Demand Army Withdrawal On Independence Day

Protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s Rawalakot raised their voices on Pakistan’s Independence Day demanding the withdrawal of the Pakistani Army and paramilitary forces from the region, Deccan Chronicle reported.

The call came amid heightened tensions following firing by Pakistani forces at demonstrators on Thursday evening.

Locals alleged that troops not only opened fire but also looted belongings from homes. Among those injured was Bilawal, the first cousin of Sardar Aman Khan, who is leading the ongoing movement in PoK.

Crowds gathered in Rawalakot on Friday shouted “Ye Watan Hamara Hai” as they reminded Pakistan that for eight decades it has controlled PoK despite repeated promises by several Prime Ministers that the territory would be a “free zone.”

The demand for withdrawal was reinforced by Sardar Aman Khan, a core member of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), who directly questioned Pakistan’s generals about the timeline for implementing the United Nations resolution of August 13, 1948, which called for the withdrawal of Pakistani forces from the region.

The PoK Police claimed that protesters had fired at police personnel, but the JAAC strongly denied the allegation. Locals reported heavy firing on Thursday evening after the JAAC issued a declaration calling for civil disobedience and non-cooperation, including refusal to pay income tax and electricity and water bills. Bilawal, who lives with Khan and manages many of his affairs, was injured but later reported to be out of danger.

Tensions escalated further following the JAAC’s statement, with people gathering at several locations across PoK. Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri, another JAAC member, condemned the violence and warned that if attacks continued, the movement’s core members would announce a new course of action and begin a long march towards Muzaffarabad.

He emphasised that the blood of martyrs would not go to waste and that every drop had given new life to the struggle for Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement posted on X, the JAAC pledged that the sacrifices of the people would strengthen the movement. Khan accused the Pakistani government of attempting to divide PoK and declared that the people would resist any such move.

He told the gathering that every man, woman, child, elder, and youth present was prepared to sacrifice their lives rather than allow the division of Jammu and Kashmir.

Large numbers of women and children joined the ongoing protests alongside their families, reflecting the depth of the movement across society.

The JAAC highlighted that their participation demonstrated how far the struggle had penetrated into communities, with demands for fundamental rights, justice, and implementation of public demands becoming a unifying cause.

The protests on Independence Day underscored the growing anger against Pakistan’s continued presence in PoK.

The JAAC’s call for civil disobedience, combined with the participation of diverse sections of society, has intensified pressure on Islamabad, which faces mounting criticism for its handling of dissent in the region.

Agencies

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Baloch Leader Extends Independence Day Greetings To PM Modi, Calls Pakistan’s I-Day A Black Day

A day after urging the global Baloch population to mark Pakistan’s Independence Day as a “Black Day,” Baloch leader Mir Yar Baloch extended warm greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India on the nation’s 80th Independence Day.

In his message, Mir Yar Baloch highlighted the historic, civilizational, and spiritual bonds between India and Balochistan. He offered to open Balochistan’s seaports for trade with India to support the “Make in India” program, emphasising that such cooperation could help propel India toward becoming the world’s second-largest economy.

He expressed heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the Republic of Balochistan, describing the occasion as sacred and proud. Paying tribute to Indian freedom fighters including Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Rani Lakshmibai, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, he said their immortal sacrifices continue to inspire nations striving for justice and self-determination.

Mir Yar Baloch pointed to the ancient Hinglaj Mata Temple in Balochistan, describing it as a sacred symbol of India’s spiritual connection with the region, binding both nations together for centuries.

Taking aim at Islamabad, he urged the international community to challenge Pakistan’s narrative, asserting that Pakistan lacked any legal, diplomatic, political, or moral proof of Balochistan’s incorporation. He warned that allowing Pakistan to thrive would be tantamount to grave diplomatic and political suicide.

He pitched strong economic and strategic ties with New Delhi, stressing that India’s economic growth targets could be accelerated through partnership with Balochistan. He praised Prime Minister Modi’s vision of making India the world’s third-largest economy and said Balochistan could give wings to this dream.

He proposed opening Balochistan’s seaports for Indian trade and providing a large market for goods produced under the Make in India program. He added that minerals entrusted to the Baloch nation could bring an economic revolution to the region.

By expelling Pakistan from Balochistan, he argued, the rogue state would be deprived of trillions of dollars worth of minerals, preventing it from funding terrorism in Kashmir or unrest in the wider region.

Just a day earlier, Mir Yar Baloch had called on six crore Baloch people worldwide to observe Pakistan’s Independence Day on August 14 as a “Black Day.” He urged them to hoist black flags and wear black armbands to signal rejection of Pakistani rule. His condemnation followed Pakistani military airstrikes in Surab that reportedly left dozens of civilians dead and injured.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi hoisted the National Flag at the Red Fort in New Delhi. The ceremony was synchronised with a 21-gun salute by the 1721 Field Battery (Ceremonial), marking the nation’s 80th Independence Day celebrations.

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India Slams Norwegian Ambassador To Pak's Remarks, Highlights Atrocities In Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir

India has strongly urged global action over the escalating human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, highlighting the atrocities being committed under state sponsorship and the continued use of the territory for cross-border terrorism.

The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir, along with Ladakh, remains an integral and inseparable part of India.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised that the international community should focus on the grave abuses taking place in the illegally occupied territory. He stressed that the real issue is not India’s sovereignty, which is unquestionable, but the ongoing repression and exploitation of the people in PoK by Pakistani authorities.

His remarks came in response to a query regarding the meeting between Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad. The two leaders issued a joint statement mentioning discussions on regional issues, including Kashmir. India’s position was clear that such references ignore the harsh realities of Pakistan’s illegal occupation and the suffering of the local population.

The occupied territory is currently witnessing its most intense public unrest in decades. Fatal clashes, communication blackouts, and widespread allegations of security force excesses have created a volatile environment.

What began as demonstrations against rising electricity tariffs and soaring essential commodity prices has evolved into a broader campaign demanding political reforms, transparency, and democratic rights.

Social media platforms have been flooded with video clips showing the violent tactics of Pakistani security forces. Footage shared by accounts linked to the Joint Awami Action Committee revealed officers using live ammunition against peaceful demonstrators in Kotli district. Women protesters were seen fleeing in panic, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the crackdown.

Massive public gatherings across PoK have united thousands of citizens in solidarity with the JAAC. These rallies have condemned the sustained violence and demanded accountability from the Pakistani state. The scale of mobilisation reflects deep-seated frustration with decades of systemic exploitation and denial of fundamental rights.

India has consistently maintained that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is an illegal occupation and has repeatedly raised concerns about Islamabad’s support for terrorism and its oppressive treatment of civilians.

The MEA’s latest statement reinforces New Delhi’s call for the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for its actions and to recognise the legitimate aspirations of the people living under occupation.

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Protests Erupt In Balochistan After Pakistani Airstrike Reportedly Kills 20 Plus Civilians

Protests erupted in Surab following reports that a Pakistani military airstrike in the Gidar Goandhan area killed more than twenty people and injured at least sixteen others.

The aerial attack, carried out on Tuesday, caused civilian casualties, including women and children.

Local residents and police transported the injured and the bodies of those killed to the District Headquarters Hospital in Surab, where the wounded were receiving treatment. Some residents claimed that the actual number of fatalities could be higher than initially reported.

At the time of the report, Pakistani military or security authorities had not issued any official statement confirming the incident or the casualties.

In the aftermath, relatives of the victims and local residents placed the bodies on the N‑25 Quetta‑Karachi highway at Surab’s main square and launched a sit‑in protest. The demonstration brought traffic to a standstill, with long lines of vehicles forming on both sides of the road.

Protesters declared they would continue the sit‑in until their demands were met. The incident drew condemnation from political and civil society organisations, adding to the mounting criticism of military operations in Balochistan.

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee condemned the reported airstrike, voicing concern over the deaths of civilians, including women and children, and demanding accountability. In its statement, the organisation described the bombing of a populated area as an act of state violence.

According to the Committee, the strike was being organised to protest the airstrike and the reported killing of civilians. The group appealed to traders, political activists, civil society representatives, and residents across Balochistan to join the shutdown.

Sardar Akhtar Mengal, leader of the Balochistan National Party‑Mengal, questioned the reported targeting of civilians and children in comments shared on social media. Referring to photographs of the victims, he asked whether children could be labelled militants and whether peace could ever be achieved by killing them.

Lawyer and political commentator Sajid Tareen Advocate also responded to the reports on X, calling claims that twenty‑seven people, including women and children, were killed in the airstrike tragic. He expressed solidarity with the families affected by the incident.

The protests in Surab highlight the growing anger among Baloch citizens over repeated military actions that have resulted in civilian deaths.

The sit‑in on the highway symbolises both grief and defiance, as communities demand recognition of their suffering and accountability from the state. The silence of the authorities has only deepened resentment, while political voices and civil society groups continue to amplify calls for justice.

The incident adds to the long history of Balochistan’s struggle against military repression, resource exploitation, and denial of basic rights, fuelling demands for dignity and autonomy.

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PAF JF‑17s Rain Seven Bombs On Balochistan’s Surab; 30 Plus Civilians Dead; Scores Injured

Pakistan’s military under Asim Munir has once again unleashed brutal force against the citizens in Balochistan who is seeking freedom from Pakistani occupation, News18 reported.

The latest atrocity unfolded in Surab district’s Goandhan village, where an airstrike at midnight turned a celebration of independence into a massacre. On the very night when Baloch citizens were rejoicing with flags and slogans of freedom, JF-17 fighter jets descended like predators, raining explosives on sleeping families.

The devastation left 28 civilians dead, including nine children, seven women, and twelve men, while more than seventeen others were pulled out of rubble with severe injuries. The death toll is expected to rise further as many remain in critical condition.

Eyewitnesses described the horror as houses collapsed into heaps of mud and concrete, burying bodies beneath debris. Survivors clawed through ruins with bare hands, searching for loved ones, while the Pakistani administration maintained complete silence.

The brutality was not limited to aerial bombardment; local sources revealed that soldiers encircled the area before and after the strikes, subjecting civilians to torture. This pattern reflects a long-standing military program in Balochistan, where enforced disappearances, torture cells, and staged encounters have become routine. The midnight bombing, however, marks a chilling escalation, showing the army’s descent into sheer savagery.

The timing of the attack underscores Munir’s fury at the growing defiance of Baloch citizens. Just a day earlier, the province had witnessed widespread celebrations of independence from Pakistan, with streets filled by flags and chants against Islamabad’s rule.

This open defiance rattled Munir, who reportedly gave his forces free rein to crush the spirit of rebellion. The airstrike was thus not a tactical operation but a calculated act of vengeance, designed to instil fear and silence the voices of freedom.

The roots of Balochistan’s rebellion lie in decades of exploitation and neglect. Despite being rich in natural gas, gold, copper, and other minerals, the province remains mired in poverty, unemployment, and lack of basic facilities. Locals accuse the Pakistani state of plundering their resources while offering nothing in return but repression.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has further alienated the population, as mega projects bypass local communities and benefit outsiders. The military’s heavy-handed tactics—abductions, torture, and killings—have only deepened resentment, fuelling insurgent groups and strengthening the demand for separation.

The aftermath in Goandhan village is one of utter ruin. Broken homes, scattered belongings, and lifeless bodies pulled from rubble paint a grim picture of Pakistan’s war against its own people. The silence of the authorities adds insult to injury, leaving survivors to grieve alone.

For Balochistan, this massacre is not an isolated incident but part of a larger struggle for dignity, identity, and control over its own resources. The midnight airstrike has become a symbol of Munir’s desperation to crush a movement that refuses to die.

Agencies

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UN Demands Accountability Over Crackdown On Peaceful Protestors In PoK

The United Nations has once again raised its voice over the deteriorating situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, stressing the urgent need for accountability in the wake of a violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrators.

Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, underscored that authorities must respect the fundamental right to peaceful protest and investigate any harm inflicted upon civilians.

Haq reiterated that the Secretary-General fully supports the work of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, who had earlier expressed grave concern over escalating unrest in the region. He emphasised that if people have been harmed while exercising their right to peaceful assembly, accountability is non-negotiable.

The remarks come against the backdrop of Turk’s repeated appeals for calm and restraint ahead of the Legislative Assembly elections in PoK. The UN has confirmed that dozens of people, including both protesters and law enforcement personnel, have been killed since June during demonstrations linked to political unrest. Turk has demanded impartial investigations into all reported deaths, insisting that perpetrators must face justice irrespective of their affiliation.

The High Commissioner has also criticised Pakistan’s decision to ban the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee under anti-terrorism laws. The JKJAAC, comprising traders, transporters, students, lawyers and civil society activists, was outlawed on allegations of threatening public order.

Several of its leaders were arrested, raising alarm over violations of freedom of association and peaceful assembly. Turk has called for immediate access to legal counsel for detained leaders and full respect for due process and fair trial rights.

Concerns have also been raised over restrictions on internet access and foreign media coverage, which have severely curtailed the ability of citizens to communicate and share information. These blackouts have been described as disproportionate measures that undermine freedom of expression during a period of heightened tensions.

India has strongly condemned Pakistan’s actions, highlighting the stark contrast between Islamabad’s rhetoric and its brutal suppression of fundamental rights in PoK. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal accused Pakistani forces of resorting to lethal violence, targeted killings and draconian bans to silence peaceful protests. He described such state-sponsored violence as exposing the hypocrisy of the Pakistani establishment.

Jaiswal further urged Pakistan to cease its orchestrated diplomatic theatre and instead take credible, verifiable and irreversible action against terror networks operating from its soil.

He demanded that Islamabad vacate all Indian territories under its illegal occupation, stressing that the world is not deceived by Pakistan’s attempts to mask its domestic turmoil.

Security forces in PoK have killed dozens of protesters since June 2026, while imposing internet blackouts and restricting foreign media access. The international community continues to press for accountability, with watchdogs and rights groups warning that Pakistan’s actions represent a grave violation of international human rights standards.

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‘Indian Hand’ in Pakistan Occupied Jammu & Kashmir Crisis?

by Nilesh Kunwar

The Real Exploitation

Every country has the sovereign right to amend its own constitution, that’s what New Delhi did on August 5, 2019, when it abrogated Article 370 of the Indian constitution, a temporary provision that provided special status to the people of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

Surprisingly, despite being India’s internal matter, Pakistan vociferously objected to and even sought UNSC intervention on this issue, but ended up eating crow as its bizarre claim that Article 370 abrogation was tantamount to violation of UNSC resolutions on Kashmir found no takers.

However, Pakistan has continued to put up a brave face, and referring to August 5 as 'Youm-e-Istehsal' (Day of Exploitation) orchestrated public protests in Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK) on this day every year. This year too, August 5 witnessed massive protests in PoK, but this time the reason was entirely different-the people weren’t protesting against Article 370 abrogation by New Delhi but against their own institutionalised marginalisation and oppression by Islamabad and the army respectively.

The ongoing Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) led protests in PoK are against Islamabad’s high handedness and abject apathy in addressing genuine public concerns on basic governance and economic issues. They are also against indiscriminate use of force against peaceful people by the Pakistan army and other law enforcement agencies in which several protesters have been killed, maimed and injured.

In short, protests in PoK are about deprivation, disempowerment and exploitation of Kashmiris living in this region and so the widespread ongoing public unrest in PoK three years in a row isn’t surprising at all.

Blame Game

Unfortunately, rather than address genuine grievances of PoK residents, both Islamabad and Rawalpindi are trying to portray these protests as being orchestrated by India.

To blame India for everything and anything going wrong in Pakistan is nothing new and so Islamabad and Rawalpindi’s allegation of India’s involvement in the PoK protests was expected. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Director General (DG) of Pakistan army’s media wing Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhary allege that India was both organising as well as financing a coordinated social media campaign supporting JAAC and spewing anti-Pakistan propaganda to incite unrest in PoK.

Pakistan always claims to have “undeniable evidence” of Indian involvement in orchestrating violence inside Pakistan, but it has never provided any credible proof to substantiate its allegations in the past, and it hasn’t done so now. This is not at all surprising as the current unrest in PoK is not against Pakistan’s illegal occupation of this region- it’s about basic economic and governance issues.

Despite proscribing JAAC, arresting its leadership and coming down heavily on protesters, this movement has entered its third month, a clear indication that the public grievances being projected are indeed genuine and hence merit immediate redressal. And when Islamabad refuses to address the peoples’ woes and the Pakistan army goes on an indiscriminate killing spree targeting peaceful protesters, outburst of anger against these tormentors is not a propaganda induced reaction but a spontaneous and natural human response.

Middle East Eye, a UK based media website has aptly concluded that “What started as frustration over soaring electricity bills and flour prices (in PoK) has rapidly transformed into a systemic challenge to Islamabad’s authority in the region. Rather than rehashing the old geopolitical tug-of-war with India, this new wave of unrest reflects deep-seated frustration with local governance.”

It further mentions that “Protesters are demanding genuine political participation, arguing that while Kashmir’s international fate hangs in limbo, their basic political and economic rights cannot remain frozen. In a region long treated as a geopolitical pawn, domestic disillusionment is now taking centre stage.”

Unanswered Questions

Islamabad has officially disclosed that of the 38 demands made by JAAC, it had accepted 37 and this revelation raises three questions. One, doesn’t the government’s acceptance of all the demands barring one unambiguously indicate that the JAAC protests were impelled by genuine grievances?

Two, if JAAC demands are restricted to only economic and governance issues, why has it been proscribed under anti-terrorism laws? Lastly, if JAAC is indeed a terrorist organisation with links to India, then why did Islamabad negotiate with it and accept its demands in the first place?

Indian Hand

It’s evident that while Islamabad is blaming India for inciting PoK protests in a bid to cover its own governance failures and Rawalpindi is doing likewise to divert attention from its indiscriminate use of force against peaceful protesters.

However, as the people of PoK would definitely be comparing the far better governance and living conditions in J&K with their own pathetic existence, India may in an indirect way be instrumental in highlighting the sense of comparative deprivation amongst PoK residents by opening their eyes to reality.

So, on this account, India can definitely be blamed. After all, hasn’t it created four airports in J&K while PoK has only two? And while J&K has a functional railway line, PoK has none. Talking about higher education facilities, while J&K has 35 universities, PoK has just six, and with nine government medical colleges, J&K is far ahead of PoK which has only three.

The comparative differences in per capita budget and allocation of funds infrastructural development expenditure too are huge. Islamabad is understandably shy of revealing fund allocation for PoK but some details are available. For example, in 2019, while New Delhi allocated ₹6,724 crores to J&K for infrastructural development, PoK received just a measly sum of ₹1,028 crores from Islamabad.

According to The Geostrata, an independent policy and research think tank, the Union Budget of India, for the year 2025-26 allocated ₹41,000 crores to J&K as central assistance along with ₹13,522 crores centrally sponsored schemes and the Prime Minister’s Development Package. On the other hand, Pakistan slashed its scanty budgetary allocation for PoK by a whopping 16%, from a previous estimation of ₹2,307 crores quoting Dawn’s observation that “the region would be handicapped by lower allocations.”

While rebutting unsubstantiated allegations of Indian involvement in PoK protests, New Delhi therefore needs to expose how Islamabad’s anti-people economic policies, inefficient governance and brazen exploitation of the resources of this region have forced its people to rise up and demand what is rightfully due to them.

Tailpiece: Even though the Pakistan army is merrily going about shooting peaceful protesters in PoK, DG ISPR has the impudence to declare that Kashmiris are Pakistan’s “sub se ladla bacha” (most favourite child), and expects the world to believe this.

Isn’t this a classic case of great expectations?

Nilesh Kunwar is a retired Indian Army Officer who has served in Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. He is a keen ‘Kashmir-Watcher,’ and after retirement is pursuing his favourite hobby of writing for newspapers, journals and think-tanks. Views expressed above are the author's own

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