Quetta, Pakistan – Pakistani Security forces launched a violent pre-dawn raid on a peaceful sit-in organized by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) in Quetta, arresting several protesters, including BYC organizer Dr. Mahrang Baloch.
The crackdown, which occurred at 5:30 AM, involved the use of excessive force against demonstrators, including women and children.
The sit-in had been organized to demand the release of several forcibly disappeared individuals, including BYC central committee member Bebarg, his brother Hammal, Dr. Ilyas, , Baloch woman Saeeda and seek justice for the peaceful protesters killed by the Pakistani police.
However, from the very beginning, the protest was met with violent repression. Pakistani Security forces reportedly used baton charges, tear gas shelling, and mass arrests to disperse protesters.
A search operation in Saryab was also launched to track down more demonstrators, and gunfire incidents left several people injured.
During today’s raid, authorities also forcefully seized the dead bodies that protesters had planned to offer funeral prayers for.
According to BYC, security forces attacked protesters indiscriminately, targeting women and children with violence before arresting many of them.
The situation remains tense in Quetta as BYC and human rights activists condemn the state’s heavy-handed response.
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