At least three people have died and several others were injured after participants of a Balochistan Yakjehti Committee (BYC) protest clashed with security personnel in various areas of Balochistan on Sunday.
Despite roadblocks set up by authorities, a large number of protesters managed to gather at Gwadar’s Marine Drive for the Baloch Rajee Muchi (Baloch National Gathering). Two individuals were killed and two others injured when security forces stopped a convoy at the Talar check-post. Officials claimed that security forces were defending themselves against a mob that reportedly attacked the checkpost.
In addition, one person died and eight others were injured during clashes that erupted after authorities used teargas to disperse the crowd on Marine Drive. At least 20 people were arrested.
Health authorities in Gwadar confirmed the death toll. “We have received three bodies and eight injured persons in the hospital,” adding that two of the injured were transferred to Turbat.
Due to a communications blackout, Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langove and Provincial Spokesperson Shahid Rind could not be reached for comment.
Addressing the gathering in Gwadar, BYC leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch and others vowed to continue their struggle for the rights of the Baloch people and the protection of the province’s resources. Referring to the deaths of attendees, Dr. Baloch demanded that the killers be arrested and brought to justice. She also called for the release of detained protesters, stating that the sit-in would continue at Marine Drive until their release.
Life in southern Balochistan, including Makran, came to a standstill, with roads and highways leading to Gwadar blocked throughout the day. The Quetta-Karachi highway was also blocked due to a sit-in in Mastung. A complete shutter-down strike was observed in various areas including Mastung, Kalat, Noshki, Khuzdar, Dalbandin, Awaran, Lasbela, Chagai, Nokundi, Gwadar, Turbat, and Pasni. BYC activists staged sit-ins at 14 locations along highways and inter-provincial roads. In Quetta, roads leading towards the Red Zone were blocked, and hundreds of police and levies officials were deployed for security.
A tweet from Dr. Mahrang Baloch’s account stated that the internet and mobile networks in Gwadar have been shut down for the past 72 hours. The BYC team will manage Dr. Mahrang’s social media accounts during the shutdown, with only content approved by Dr. Mahrang being published.