Government, protesters trade barbs as several killed in clashes in SW Pakistan

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) – The government and protesters traded barbs on Monday after several people, including a soldier, were killed in clashes between the two sides in southwestern Balochistan province over the past two days.

Violence erupted after security forces allegedly blocked several roads to prevent protesters from attending a "Grand Baloch Gathering" in the coastal city of Gwadar, a key route of the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The Pakistan Army said in a statement on Monday that at least one soldier was killed and another 16 injured when a violent mob in the garb of so-called "Baloch Raji Muchi" or the Grand Baloch Gathering assaulted personnel employed for security in Gwadar district.

However, protesters claimed that security forces "attacked the peaceful protests" in various parts of the mineral-rich province, killing at least three people and injuring several others.

But, the army dismissed the claim, saying "Fake and malicious propaganda is being spread on social media using doctored pictures and videos by the propagandists to gain sympathy and support for the unlawful violent march."

"The violent actions of the mob are unacceptable and those responsible will be brought to justice," the statement said, urging citizens "not to fall prey to the propaganda, remain calm and peaceful, and to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in maintaining public safety and order."

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also accused the protesters of not being "peaceful."

“The intentions of this rally were not peaceful. Their purpose is only to sabotage all those activities which benefit the people of Balochistan somehow,” Bugti said in a speech to the provincial assembly on Monday.

Security forces arrested approximately two dozen people on charges of violence, local media reported.

Despite roadblocks and clashes, thousands of protesters attended the grand rally organized by the Balochistan Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a conglomerate of several nationalist groups.

The gathering was organized mainly to protest alleged forced disappearances, which nationalist groups blame on security forces.

The army denies the charge.

Security forces have long been facing a low-intensity rebellion by several armed groups, which claim the province was "forcibly" incorporated into Pakistan after British colonial rule in United India ended in 1947.

However, the province's poverty, which locals blame on federal government policies have resulted in increased attacks on security forces and bomb attacks on government installations.