Pakistani security forces have significantly escalated both ground and aerial assaults within the Khuzdar district of Balochistan. Military helicopters have been deployed to carry out intense shelling and bombings across the Wadh, Ornach, and Zehri regions, generating a pervasive climate of terror throughout the entire area. Recent heavy shelling in the Wadh locality resulted in the death of a civilian, following a similar military crackdown just the previous week that claimed another life and left multiple women and children injured.
Helicopter Surveillance and Continuous Raids
According to local media accounts, Pakistani military helicopters executed multiple airstrikes in the Surgah area of Ornach. Uninterrupted helicopter patrols and aerial surveillance have remained a constant feature across the region. Reports indicate that aggressive military operations have been underway in Wadh, Ornach, and Zehri for numerous consecutive days, deeply disrupting daily life.
Accusations of Targeting Civilian Settlements
Local residents and various reports have levied serious accusations that the military campaign deliberately targets civilian-populated zones. Last week, shelling in the Drakhalav-Gaslati area of Khuzdar killed a man named Abdul Kadir and wounded several others, including women and children. Outraged by the incident, local inhabitants placed the body on a road, blocked a major highway, and staged a vigorous protest, accusing the military of directly targeting non-combatants.
The human rights organization Baloch Yakjehti Committee claimed that a 14-year-old student named Shahzad was killed on July 25. The organization alleged that Shahzad had been missing for over a year prior to his killing, pointing the finger of responsibility at a Pakistan-backed death squad.
Student Activist Abducted From Home
In a parallel development, another organization, Baloch Voice for Justice, alleged that a student activist named Yunus Baloch was abducted by security forces from his home in Quetta on July 25. The group stated that he has been missing ever since, with his family left completely in the dark regarding his whereabouts or condition.
Deep Concerns Raised by Human Rights Groups
Organisations such as BYC and BVJ assert that forced disappearances are alarmingly on the rise across Balochistan. Incidents involving extrajudicial killings and aggressive actions directed against ordinary citizens have also been repeatedly documented. These groups have voiced profound concern regarding the safety and well-being of women, children, and civilians at large.
Official Stance and Unverified Claims
Conversely, the government of Pakistan and its security apparatus consistently maintain that military operations in Balochistan are aimed strictly at countering terrorist and armed insurgent groups while preserving regional security. Nevertheless, the accusations concerning civilian targeting, enforced disappearances, and death squads remain independently unverified, with opposing sides presenting drastically contrasting accounts.
