Protesters have alleged that security forces “attacked peaceful protests” in different parts of the mineral-rich state, leaving at least three people dead and several injured.
Karachi city, Pakistan
The government and protesters engaged in fierce verbal altercations on Monday after clashes between them in the southwestern province of Balochistan over the past two days left several people, including soldiers, dead.
Violence erupted in the coastal city of Gwadar, a key route along the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), after security forces allegedly blocked several roads to stop protesters from taking part in a “Baloch grand rally”.
The Pakistani army said in a statement on Monday that at least one soldier was killed and 16 others were wounded when a mob dressed in the so-called “Baloch Raj Muchi” or “Great Baloch Rally” outfit attacked security personnel in Gwadar district.
But protesters alleged that security forces “attacked peaceful protests” in different parts of the mineral-rich state, leaving at least three people dead and several injured.
But the military denied the allegations, saying “false and malicious propaganda is being spread on social media using doctored photos and videos by propagandists to gain sympathy and support for the illegal violent march.”
“Mob violence cannot be tolerated and those responsible will be brought to justice,” the statement said, and urged citizens to “not be fooled by propaganda, to remain calm and peaceful, and to cooperate with law enforcement authorities in maintaining public safety and order.”
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti also condemned the protesters, saying they were not “peaceful”.
“The intention of this rally was not peaceful. Their only aim is to disrupt all activities that will benefit the people of Balochistan in any way,” Bugti said while addressing the provincial assembly on Monday.
Security forces arrested around 20 people on suspicion of violence, local media said.
Despite road blockades and clashes, thousands of protesters took part in a major rally organised by the Balochistan Yakuza Committee (BYC), a coalition of several nationalist groups.
The rally was primarily organised to protest against alleged enforced disappearances that nationalist groups blame on security forces.
The military denies the charges.
Security forces have long faced a low-intensity insurgency by multiple militant groups that say the province was “forcibly” annexed by Pakistan after the end of British colonial rule in united India in 1947.
But poverty in the state, which locals blame on federal policies, has led to an increase in attacks on security forces and bombings of government facilities.
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