Surge in Religious Extremism: Balochistan civilians likely to be targeted by Pakistani Forces, says Activist

New Delhi, September 10, 2016: Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province by area which has experienced insurgency by Baloch separatists, targeted killings, and disappearance of Baloch people by security forces for more than a decade now, along with the sectarian violence against minority Hazara Shia Muslims by fundamentalists.

The ongoing government action against the insurgency and terrorist organizations has resulted in a surge in religious extremism in the region. Hindus, Shias (including Hazaras) and Zikris have been targeted, causing massive migration from Balochistan, mentioned ANI report.

Pakistani forces have launched a fresh wave of military operations across the restive Balochistan province. An activist for a prominent Baloch political outfit has said even civilians have been attacked and abducted in the ongoing operations and has called on the international community to take steps to stop Islamabad's human rights abuses in Balochistan, quoted the ANI report.

Follow NewsGram on Twitter

"In many parts of the Nasirabad district (of the Balochistan province), Pak forces have carried out attacks. Baloch civilians have been harassed and many have been abducted," said Abdul Nawaz Bugti, Baloch Republican Party's representative at the United Nations human rights council.

"In different parts of Dera Bugti, Baloch civil populace have been attacked and more than 19 Baloch civilians, including women and children, all belonging to the same family have been abducted," Bugti told news agency ANI in a video message.

Bugti added that Pakistani security personnel was practically laying siege to the house of a political worker in the Turbat area for four days. "His family, mostly women, and children, is starving and Pakistani forces have denied access to them," Bugti said to ANI.

ALSO WATCH: Tarek Fatah shares his thoughts on the state-sponsored killings in Pakistan

He had earlier tweeted that Pakistani forces use such tactics to compel Baloch political activists who have gone underground to resurface. They are then abducted, tortured or killed, he alleged.

"It is the time that international media raises their voices and helps save Baloch from the inhuman atrocities committed by Pakistani forces on a daily basis in Balochistan," he added.

Abdul Nawaz Bugti's twitter timeline is filled with tweets that are updates of the actions of Pakistani security personnel in Balochistan.

Follow NewsGram on Facebook

When questioned by some on whether PM Modi's mention of Balochistan has had a negative effect on Baloch people, Bugti tweeted, "It hasn't. Pakistani atrocities have always been there. The positive thing now is that the world knows about them," Bugti further added.

Modi's statements have flashed Balochistan as a key regional subject and everyone is talking and researching about it. The Baloch goal was to be recognized as a separate entity instead of being looked at as a disillusioned segment of Pakistan's domestic politics.

The army and the civilian government both seem to be on the same page. The former government of the Pakistan People's Party and the Pakistan Muslim League have shown little interest in pursuing talks with the Baloch leadership.

– prepared by Arya Sharan of NewsGram