Getting bloodier by the day, the violent madness unleashed in the province of Balochistan shows no signs of abatement with miscreants freely carrying out their subversive activities from target killings to blowing up railway track, gas pipeline, electricity pylon almost every day.
Last week, too, clashes between the miscreants and security forces personnel continued in Dera Bugti District. So far, 40 security forces personnel have lost their lives, and till the filing of this report the fighting still continued.
According to reports reaching here from the volatile district, clashes also took place in areas like Ouch, Gazzi, Tauba Sandrani, Seikhundah, Rustam Bar, Lakha Marri, Jadher, Shah Zain and Zain Koh, claiming 41 lives, including  nine security forces personnel. According to sources in the Frontier Corps, nine security personnel, an engineer working at a gas company and more than 30 miscreants have been killed in the ongoing operation in Ouch. Those killed include three alleged commanders of late Nawab Akbar Bugti: commander Mast, commander Major and commander Liftri. During the operation, more than three dozen miscreants have also been arrested and a large quantity of arms and ammunition recovered from their possession. It is being said that the operation will continue till the objectives are achieved.
A spokesperson for militant outfit BRA has alleged that the security forces are targeting innocent civilians during the operation, and that heavy weapons are being used in this regard. He also claimed to have inflicted heavy losses to the security forces.
Meanwhile, Baloch Republican Party President and grandson of late Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti Barahimdagh Bugti has said Dera Bugti is one again reflecting the scenes of Hiroshima, alleging that in the operation, more than two dozen innocent women, children and elderly were targeted by the security forces. He said they saluted the eight fighters as well as other militants killed by the security forces in Guzri Kor, Uch for following the footsteps of late Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and Nawabzada Balach Marri.
He said fighters attacked the security forces operating in Kahi Kanal, Uch, killing eight security forces personnel including a colonel named Rauf, after which the security forces allegedly attacked innocent civilians and torched their houses. At this, the fighters besieged the security forces and during clashes more than 50 security forces personnel, including two majors, were killed, whereas 10 to 12 vehicles were also torched. In the incident, the security forces suffered heavy losses, Mr. Bugti claimed.
On Sunday, he said that the security forces targeted areas including Mozi Rustum, Darbar Sheri, Darbar Lakha, Marri Tooba, Banyan, Shah Zain, Kathan Guzi and others. He alleged that in the operation, dozens of innocent people were killed. So far the names we have received of those killed include Malango, Siyah Harr, Lallo, Marri, Larna, Salar, Ghulam Qadir, Shambo, Sher Bano, Gul Bibi, Mehnaz, Shalee, and Mehar Bibi.
Due to these clashes and fighting, the gas companies and Wapda are suffering financial losses.
On the other hand, violence broke out in the provincial capital when due to firing by unidentified motorcyclists, a man, Ghulam Rasool, belonging to Hazara community, was killed on Karani Road, whereas another person, Khadim Hussain, was injured. At this, violent demonstrators blocked Barori Road and chanted slogans against the police. The demonstrators fired upon the anti-narcotics force’s personnel, and during the ensuing clash, six people -- Muhammad Asif, Liaquat Ali, Nadir Ali, Ali Raza, Sher Muhammad and Sajjad -- were killed, whereas ATF sub-inspector Abdul Latif Changezi, and police personnel Zakir Hussain and Hayatullah suffered injuries. The exchange of fire between the violent demonstrators and the law-enforcement agencies’ personnel continued for several hours.
On the directives of Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Muhammad Raeesani, provincial ministers Shafiq Ahmed Khan, Muhammad Yunus Malazai, Jan Ali Changezi and tribal notables went to hold talks with the demonstrators. However, their vehicles, too, came under fire, leaving a security guard killed and a driver injured. The ministers, however, remained unhurt.
After this, the Frontier Corps was called in the area and it took several hours to bring the situation under control. Frontier Corps, Anti-Terrorist Force, Police and heavy contingents of Balochistan Constabulary were stationed in the area.
Meanwhile, Pakistan People’s Party leader and provincial minister for quality education Jan Ali Changezi has said anti-social and anti-peace forces were trying to create a divide between brotherly ethnic groups. He condemned the Barori Road incident, saying those responsible should be handed down exemplary punishment.
Responding to a question, he said Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raeesani has assured that the culprits would be arrested and high-level investigations be carried out into the incident.
The situation demands that all the political parties play their role in establishing peace in the province.