Quetta, December 11:
A wave of anger has swept across Balochistan’s Kech district as villagers staged protests on Thursday against what they termed a “brutal trend” of indiscriminate firing by Pakistani security forces targeting civilians. The demonstrations were prominently supported by the Baloch Women Forum (BWF), which condemned the continued human rights violations in the region.
The immediate trigger for the protests was the December 8 incident in the Sahaki area of Balgatar, where Pakistani personnel allegedly opened fire on civilians, injuring a woman identified as Durdana Baloch. The BWF stated that the attack reflects a worsening situation in Balochistan, marked by forced disappearances, bulldozing of settlements, and continued violence against indigenous communities.
“For years, Balochistan has been dragged into a catastrophic pattern of state barbarity. Enforced disappearances of women, destruction of villages, and indiscriminate firing on civilians are alarming signs of human rights decay,” the BWF said, calling for strong public resistance. It noted that Balgatar had already suffered forced evacuations and increasing victimisation of women, and is now witnessing midnight firing on civilians.
The Forum demanded an immediate end to Pakistani atrocities and urged swift accountability for those responsible.
Meanwhile, growing unrest was also visible among students. On Tuesday, students at the University of Turbat staged a protest demanding the recovery of three missing students — Noor Khan Nazar (missing since December 6), Rahmat Halko (since October 5), and Imran Taj (since June 21). Pakistani authorities have reportedly provided no information about their whereabouts.
Carrying banners and placards, a large number of students marched through the campus, expressing distress over the disappearances. Student leaders said the prolonged silence from authorities has caused deep psychological trauma among families and peers. They warned that demonstrations would intensify if the missing youths were not safely returned and urged the government to guarantee the safety of Baloch students.
The dual protests highlight escalating tensions and deepening mistrust between civilians and state forces in the troubled province.
