MALIK SIRAJ AKBAR ON THE MASHKY OPERATION | Q&A

On December 25th, 2012, the Pakistan Frontier Corps launched a military operation in southern Balochistan’s Mashky area, in Awaran District. The operation has received little or no attention in the Pakistani media. Tanqeed speaks to Malik Siraj Akbar, editor-in-chief of the banned online paper, The Baloch Hal, to get an update on the situation, and a take on why the Mashky atrocities have been ignored

Tanqeed (TQ): What is the status of the Mashkey operation right now?

Malik Siraj Akbar (MSA): On its fifth day, the operation has relatively slowed down as far as firing and door-to-door search operations are concerned. The heavy deployment of the Frontier Corps (F.C.) is still in place. According to local residents, the security forces have established at least 12 new check posts. The deployment of the F.C. has restricted civilian movement and caused a shortage of edible supplies in the area and also blocked road communications. At least 20 people, including women and children, have been killed in the operation. The Baloch insurgents have also inflicted losses on the F.C. and the F.C., on its part, says most of the people killed in the operation were ‘terrorists’, a charge the locals deny.

Baloch in London protest against Mashkay operation and asked UK to stop supporting Pakistan

London: The Baloch activists in London organised a protest demonstration outside British Parliament on Friday to condemn the military operation in Mashkay Balochistan.

The Baloch Student Organisation –Azad (London) had given the call for protest and the International Voice for Baloch Missing Persons had endorsed it.

Mutilated body of missing Baloch student found near Kalat Balochistan

Occupied Balochistan: Body of previously missing Baloch students was found in Gedar area near Kalat town on Balochistan on Saturday.

According Balochistan media reports passerbys spotted a body in Gedar area of Kalat and informed authorise. The local administration took the body in control and shifted to hospital where it was identified as that of Hasan Langov Baloch.

Mr Langov was reportedly abducted in February 2009 from Mongchar area of Balochistan along Mehrullah Baloch who is still missing. Two other Baloch activists, Abdul Rauf and Yahya Baloch were shot dead during the same period.