Pakistani Forces Crack Down on Baloch National Gathering in Gwadar
Pakistani security forces have intensified their crackdown on organizers and volunteers ahead of the ‘Baloch Raaji Muchi’ (Baloch National Gathering), scheduled for July 28 in Gwadar. The heightened crackdown has sparked outrage and calls for resistance from Baloch activists.
In a recent update on social media platform X, the Baloch Yakjeti Committee (BYC), a human rights advocacy group, reported a violent confrontation involving Pakistani forces. According to the BYC, the military fired upon a convoy traveling from Quetta to Mastung, where participants were en route to the Baloch National Gathering.
“The state’s murderous army fired directly at the Quetta convoy going to participate in the Baloch Raji Machi at Mastung. The Baloch Solidarity Committee appeals to the entire Baloch nation that people from all over Balochistan should leave their homes and march towards Gwadar. Wherever there is an attempt to stop it, shut down the entire Balochistan by staging a dharna,” the BYC stated.
In another post, the BYC accused state forces of extreme measures, “State forces have lost their minds and are running wild and crazy. Just now in Mastung, the genocidal force F.C. fired indiscriminately, injuring many innocent participants of the national gathering. They are brutally suppressing the peaceful participants of the #BalochNationalGathering.”
The BYC reported that hundreds of civilians have been forcibly abducted, and mobile and network services have been blocked as part of the crackdown. The organization condemned these actions as crimes against humanity and called for international attention.
The escalating crackdown includes raids on homes, arbitrary detentions, and severe restrictions on communications. These measures have been condemned by the BYC as a blatant attempt to stifle peaceful participation in the Baloch National Gathering.
As the gathering approaches, the situation in Gwadar and surrounding areas remains tense. The Baloch National Gathering aims to unite Baloch leaders and supporters to advocate for their rights and discuss their aspirations for self-determination. The event is seen as a critical platform for addressing grievances and formulating future strategies.
Doubts Revealed
Pakistani Forces -: These are the military and police groups in Pakistan, a country next to India.
Crack Down -: This means to take strong action to stop something, often using force.
Baloch National Gathering -: This is a big meeting of people from the Baloch community, who live in a region called Balochistan.
Gwadar -: Gwadar is a city in Pakistan, located by the sea in the Balochistan region.
Baloch Raaji Muchi -: This is the name of the Baloch National Gathering, where ‘Raaji Muchi’ means ‘National Gathering’ in the Baloch language.
Baloch Yakjeti Committee (BYC) -: This is a group that works for the unity and rights of the Baloch people.
Military firing -: This means soldiers are using guns to shoot.
Convoy -: A group of vehicles traveling together, often for protection.
Indiscriminate shooting -: This means shooting without aiming at a specific target, which can hurt anyone nearby.
Mastung -: A place in the Balochistan region of Pakistan.
Abducted -: This means taken away by force, like kidnapping.
Communication services blocked -: This means people can’t use phones or the internet to talk to each other.
Condemned -: This means to say something is very bad and wrong.
International attention -: This means asking people from other countries to notice and help with the problem.
March towards Gwadar -: This means to walk together in a group to Gwadar to show support or protest.