2009-06-09Baloch rally against Iran

By Malik Siraj Akbar

QUETTA: Threatening to target Iranian nationals in Pakistan, hundreds of Baloch women and children rallied on Monday against the recent execution of five Baloch nationals by the Iranian government.

The protest was organised by the Baloch Women’s Panel and the Baloch Students Organisation (BSO-Azad), and was led by University of Balochistan Professor Dr Saba Dashtiyari. Chanting slogans against the Iranian government, the protesters appealed to the international community to take notice of the “grave violation of human rights” against the Baloch Sunni ethnic and religious minority.

Five Baloch were executed in the Iranian province of Sistan and Baluchistan due to their alleged involvement in the terrorist attack on a Shia mosque on May 28, which resulted in 25 people dead and 125 injured. Following the attack, Iran shut down its border with Pakistan, stating Jandullah, who claimed responsibility for the attack, was using Pakistani territory to stage its attacks.

Meher Jan Baloch, a leader of the Baloch Women’s Panel, condemned the public hanging, saying the Baloch were not given a fair trial or the right to defend themselves. “International countries and human rights organisations, mainly the US and the UN, should take notice of the mistreatment meted out to minorities in Iran,” she said. She warned that if Iran did not improve its relations with the Baloch population, then the Baloch living in Pakistan would move to help their brethren by target killing Iranian nationals living in, or visiting, Pakistan.

Dr Saba Dashtiyari, meanwhile, claimed Iran and Pakistan had been collaborating with each other to suppress their Baloch populations. She said the Baloch living on both sides of the border did not recognise the international boundary. The public hanging of the Baloch citizens would prove counter-productive in the future, as Baloch would avenge this action, she added.

2009-06-08Six injured in grenade attack in Quetta, Gaspipeline blown up in Dera Bugti

QUETTA: Six people were wounded Monday when masked men on a motorbike lobbed a hand grenade at a gathering of people in the Balochistan province, police said.

DSP Sadar Khalid Manzoor told DawnNews that some people were sitting outside a tent in a street on Brewary road when assailants riding a motorbike hurled a grenade at them.

Six people including two children received injuries as the result of the attack. Police shifted the injured to Bolan Medical Complex hospital where their condition is stated to be stable.

The attack came as people were attending a religious ceremony in a tent in the provincial capital Quetta, Manzoor told AFP.

‘The hand grenade missed the target and landed outside the tent, otherwise the casualties would have been heavy,’ Manzoor said. ‘It was a terrorist act. The culprits could be those who are opposed to peace in the region,’ he added.

Police have started an investigation.

Gas-rich Baluchistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, is rife with militant and sectarian violence.

Hundreds of people have died since an insurgency flared in late 2004 in Baluchistan, where rebels are demanding political autonomy and a greater share of profits from the region’s natural resources.

Another cop shot dead in Quetta - 07.06.2009

QUETTA: Yet another Punjabi-speaking policeman was shot in Quetta on Saturday, the latest in a string of ongoing target killings in the city. According to reports, unidentified men killed the policeman responsible for guarding the Sarawan House, the private residence of Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani. Authorities in Quetta said unidentified individuals had opened fire on Hawaldar Zulfiqar Ali of the Balochistan Constabulary, while he was resting at his residence. After completing the legal and medical formalities, the hospital authorities in Quetta handed over the body to the relatives of the deceased.

2009-06-07A young Baloch died while hoisting Balochistan's flag

Mand: An emotional youth Saleem Baloch son of Abdul Majeed (14) from Gayab, Mand tried to hoist Balochistan's flag on the summit of Antraap Mountain. He slipped from a height wounded severely. He has been taken to a Karachi hospital where he died last night. Young Saleem Baloch is the first such Baloch who sacrificed his life while hoisting his national flag.

Since the cold-blooded murder of Shaheed Ghulam Mohammad Baloch, Lala Munir Baloch and Sher Mohammd Baloch, Baloch people have hoisted Balochistan’s flag at all government buildings, schools, their houses and cars. Baloch students have refused to sing Pakistan’s National anthem and started to recite Balochistan’s National anthem “Maa Choke Balochani”.

God Almighty may rest young Saleem Baloch’s soul in peace and give patience to his family and friends to bear this great loss!

2009-06-06BLF claimed responsibility for the attack on Yaqoob Bezinjo

The spokesman of Baloch Liberation Front Mr. Basham informed news agencies that his organisation targeted Mr Yaqoob Bezinjo "also known as Imam bheel". According Basham Baloch Mr Bezinjo was collaborating with Pakistani state intelligence agencies and was working against the national interest of Balochistan.

He said there are several other such MPAs and MNAs who are working against Baloch National cause and spying against Baloch sarmachaars, if they do not fix their wrongs they will also be targeted. "BLF will find them no matter where they hide", siad Basham Baloch.

Mr Yaqoob Bezinjo and three members of his family were injured yesterday when a parcel bomb exploded in his Karachi residence. according to news sources the parcel was posted for him from Turbat Balochistan via a transport company.

2009-05-31Gaspipeline blown up and water Tanker destroyed

Dera Bugti: A water Tanker supplying water to the Pakistani army have been targeted in Loti area of Dera Bugti. According details the Tanker ran over a landmine which exploded and destroyed the Tanker and driver Atta Mohammad suffered serious injuries.

Meanwhile unknown person placed explosives under a gaspipeline near Peer Koh plant in Dera Bugti. The device exploded with a big bang and ripped a big portion of the gas pipeline due to which the gas supply to Peer Koh power plant has been suspended temporarily.

Sarbaaz Baloch of Baloch Republican Army (BRA) claimed responsibility for the attack on Water tanker and said that the Tanker was targeted by a remote controlled explosive device in Zain Koh area, he also claimed responsibility for blowing up the gas pipeline.

2009-05-30Police station attacked, one official killed in Mand

Mand: Baloch Freedom Fighters of BLF has attacked a police station in Mand killing one police officer and injuring another. According to details a hand grenade was hurled into a police station on Friday, as a result two one constable Faiz Mohammad died at the spot and Mohammad Ayoub sustained serious injuries.

Basham Baloch spokesman of BLF claimed the responsibility for the attack on police station. Mr Basham Baloch further said that Baloch Sarmachaar are fighting against the occupying govermnet forces whereas the government agencies are killing and arresting innocent citizens of Balochistan.

Meanwhile the police have arrested eight people after Friday prayers. All the arrested have been shifted to Turbat. According to source they have been accused to creating public disorder and stoning police cars during protest rallies.

On the other hand BRA’s spokesperson Mr Sarbaaz Baloch said that they have attacked a convoy of government contractors at Doli check post on Punjab Balochistan border. Mr Sarbaaz described the contractors as the government collaborators. He said two of the contractors had been taken hostage first but were released after they assured that they will not collaborate with the government again.

Mr Sarbaaz further said that BRA will not let anyone to exploit Baluchistan’s national wealth. He requested to all Pashtun and Sindhi leaders and the public that they should stop working for the government companies in Dera Bugti and elsewhere in Balochistan and stop being a part of government machinery else they will be not be spared.

2009-06-01Pakistani police shot dead one man, UBL Bank set on fire by angry protesters in Panjgur

Panjgur: angry protester set UBL and a National bank on fire after Pakistan police had shot dead one man Noor Ahmad Baloch in Panjgur in Balochistan. According to details police open indiscriminate fire while chasing a stolen car as a result Noor Ahamd Baloch fallen victims of the gunshots of the police. He was pronounced dead on an ambulance when the relatives were trying to take him to Karachi for better treatment. The tragic news of his death soon spread to every corner of Balochistan.

After the news of the innocent Baloch man's death the residents and student organisations took to streets. Punjgur town was shut down and angry protest set ablaze the UBL bank, National Bank and a government television station.

Balochistan’s political parties were also quick to condemn the unfortunate incident. The leaders of different political parties have strongly condemned the attack. In their speech they term the killing of Noor Ahamd Baloch a planned and systematic action of police to sabotage the situation and provoke the Baloch youth and to further worsen the already deteriorated situation in Balochistan. It is worth noting that the Baluch people are already grieving the murder of three Baloch political leaders who were abducted from their lawyers’ office and killed in custody. Yet another killing only adds fuel to the situation and further provokes the people of Balochistan.

The residents in the area and relatives of the victim demanded the arrest of perpetrators. According to some unconfirmed source the responsible officers have been suspended temporarily.

2009-05-29Three killed in Quetta firing, blast in Sui, Awaran and Kohlu

QUETTA: At least three persons were killed when unidentified attackers opened indiscriminate fire on a customer service centre in Quetta, officials confirmed.

The assailants, who were riding a motorcycle, attacked the service centre on Kalat Street, Jail Road at around 11pm.

The dead were identified as Abdul Khaliq, Arshad Mahmood and Muhammad Asif.

The bodies were moved to a hospital, where family members of the murdered persons protested against the absence of staff and lack of medical backup.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the murders.

The provincial capital has recently seen a rising violence and a series of targeted killings, a number of which are carried out by Baloch nationalist groups who demand greater control of the province’s resources by the Baloch people. The nationalist groups also demand and independent Balochistan, citing years of ignorance by the Centre.

Meanwhile the police have rounded up around 60 people from different areas in Quetta after the incident of killing three people on Jail road in Quetta.


SUI: The roof of the house of a local tribal elder collapsed following a huge blast in Sui town on Thursday. According to police sources, unidentified men had planted explosives along the boundary wall of Wadera Mian Khan Bugti’s home. Six people including women and children were reported to be buried under the rubble of the destroyed structure.

DERA BUGTI: Two unidentified men were killed while planting explosives in Sui on Thursday. According to the police, the militants were planting explosives in an under construction house in Bugti Colony that went off killing both on the spot.

Meanwhile one man Javid Bugti was killed while he was lowering the flag of Balochistan. Two other men believed to be spying against Baloch Sarmachaars have been killed when their vehicle was blown up by a remote controlled bomb.

In a separate incident a 30 inch gas pipeline was blown up near Sui due to which the gas supply to Sui power plant has been suspended.
In patfeeder a tractor was targeted when it was taking ration for the security forces. The tractor was completely destroyed in the blast while the driver escaped unhurt.

Sarbaaz Baloch claimed responsibility for blowing up the gas pipelines on behalf of Baloch militant organisation Baloch Republican Army.

Kohlu:Separately a hand grenade was hurled into house of Kashmiri settler in Kohlu. According to details a hand grenade was hurled into the house of Sajjad Ahamd Kahsmiri, his house was heavily damaged due to powerful blast but no loss of life has been reported.

Awaran:Meanwhile in Awaran rockets were fired at an FC camp but no causalities have been reported. On the other hand Basham Baloch informed news agencies that his organisation BLF has targeted killed a foreign settler in Mand Town. He also claimed the responsibility of the attacks on FC camp and on the office of district magistrate Mashkay.