A soldier was killed and 16 other military personnel, including an officer, were injured in an attack by a mob in Gwadar district, according to the military’s statement on Monday. The incident occurred amid calls from Baloch protest march organizers for a Balochistan-wide strike in response to the “arrest of nearly two dozen activists.”
In reaction, Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the protest as an attempt to undermine the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and warned against allowing anyone to disrupt the state. Despite this, he invited Dr. Mahrang Baloch, the protest leader, to engage in talks to address their concerns.
The military’s media wing reported that the mob, identified as members of the “Baloch Raji Muchi” (Baloch national gathering), attacked security forces, leading to the death of Sepoy Shabbir Baloch, 30, from Sibi district. An officer and 15 soldiers were also injured in the assault.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that security forces exercised maximum restraint to prevent civilian casualties despite provocations. The ISPR condemned the violent actions of the mob and assured that those responsible would face justice. It also cautioned the public against false and misleading information spread on social media to gain sympathy for the protest, urging citizens to avoid falling for such propaganda.
The military called on people to cooperate with law enforcement to ensure public safety and order, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining peace and stability in Balochistan.
Protesters, organized by the Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC), have been demonstrating for two days in Gwadar, blocking highways to push their demands. A government official, speaking anonymously, reported that a civilian shopkeeper was killed in clashes while trying to bypass roadblocks. Authorities have imposed a communication blackout in parts of Balochistan and blocked roads to curb the protests.
The protest organizers claimed multiple deaths, including one in Gwadar and two at other protest sites, while the Balochistan government reported over 20 arrests but did not confirm the reported deaths.
The BYC transformed the protest rally into a sit-in, calling for province-wide demonstrations against the arrests and alleged “excessive use of force” by law enforcement. Dr. Mahrang Baloch stated that the situation in Gwadar was tense, with communication networks down and uncertainty about the detained individuals’ whereabouts.
Chief Minister Bugti denounced the protest as a threat to CPEC and reiterated the state’s willingness to negotiate for peace. Home Minister Ziaullah Langove chaired a meeting with senior police and administrative officials, confirming that law enforcement effectively managed the situation and that 20 people had been arrested.
