• Soldier martyred, lieutenant among 16 personnel injured, says ISPR
• Mahrang claims hundreds of BYC supporters rounded up
• CM Bugti says doors open for talks
• Partial strike in several towns, demo in Quetta

GWADAR / QUETTA: As the Balochistan government offered “reconciliation and dialogue”, the situation in the port city remained quite tense on Monday, with protesters and authorities blaming each other for the violence that has led to casualties on both sides.

According to the latest reports coming out of the area, which is under a road and communications blockade, participants of the Baloch Raji Muchi (Baloch national gathering) are still present in Gwadar.

A soldier was martyred and 16 other security personnel, including an officer, were injured in firing by “an unruly mob” in Gwadar during clashes between the forces and supporters of the Balochistan Yakjehti Committee (BYC), the military said on Monday.

However, BYC leader Dr Mahrang Baloch claimed hundreds of their supporters had been arrested over the past two days.

Security forces launched a crackdown after the clashes to disperse the participants of a sit-in organised by the BYC on Marine Drive, officials said.

The local administration claimed that the situation was becoming normal, adding that police had arrested over two dozen protesters during the crackdown against the participants of the sit-in which started on Sunday evening after the end of the Baloch Raji Muchi.

Officials confirmed a soldier was martyred and 16 others, including an officer, were injured in firing and unprovoked assaults by the mob.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said in a statement that a violent mob “in the garb of so-called Baloch Raaji Muchi” had assaulted security forces’ personnel employed for security duties in Gwadar district.

It identified the martyred soldier as Shabbir Baloch, a 30-year-old FC sepoy from Sibi district.

The ISPR said, “On the other hand, fake and malicious propaganda is being spread on social media using doctored pictures and videos by the propagandists to gain sympathy and support for the unlawful violent march.”

Security forces displayed extreme restraint to avoid unwarranted civilian casualties despite provocations, it said, adding, “The violent actions of the mob are unacceptable and those responsible will be brought to justice. All citizens are urged not to fall prey to the propaganda, remain calm and peaceful, and to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in maintaining public safety and order.”

Security forces, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts of sabotaging peace and stability of Balochistan, it said.

Home Minister Ziaullah Langove said a lieutenant was among the injured personnel, claiming that protesters attacked the security forces.

This he stated while presiding over a meeting, during which the Gwadar situation came under discussion.

Unannounced curfew

Separately, Dr Mahrang Baloch also issued a video massage, claiming that Gwadar was under an unannounced curfew.

She said that the BYC procession and rallies were all peaceful, but security forces allegedly resorted to violence to sabotage the BYC programme. “We have no information about our people who have been taken away by the forces.”

There were reports that police had attempted to arrest Dr Mahrang and Sami Deen Baloch, but police could not do so in the presence of thousands of protesters. The BYC leaders claimed that two people had attempted to attack Dr Mahrang on the stage, but they were caught by BYC workers.

CM offers talks

Speaking in the Balochistan Assembly, Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti offered talks to Dr Mahrang and other BYC leaders, saying “reconciliation and dialogue are the best way to resolve all issues”.

“Our doors are open for all those who want to talk on the issues as it is the only option,” CM Bugti said, adding that Balochistan cannot afford violence anymore.

He said the government was making efforts to determine the right direction for the province so that it could attain development.

However, he said, the state and government would not bow down before those groups.

He said the government had signed an agreement just two weeks ago in which it had been decided that before announcing any protest or public meeting Dr Mahrang would seek permission from the local administration, but despite that she did not get permission for holding the Gwadar gathering.

Quetta protests

In the provincial capital, a large number of BYC supporters staged a protest on Sariab Road, marching to the Balochistan University, where participants strongly condemned the violence against the Gwadar rally.

Meanwhile, a protest was also held at different points along the Karachi-Quetta national highway, and traffic remained suspended for a third straight day.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2024