The Baloch National Movement (BNM) has strongly criticized the Pakistani forces for imposing a strict curfew in the Mashkai area of Balochistan’s Awaran district. Residents have been under a military siege for the past two weeks, with markets, shops, hospitals, and schools closed. People are unable to carry out their daily activities and are confined to their homes.
In Gajjar village and other small markets, the military permits limited opening for only one hour a day under its supervision. This brief window allows nearby residents to buy essential supplies, while those from distant villages face challenges in accessing basic necessities. The BNM accuses the Pakistani military of summoning residents to camps in the morning, detaining them until evening, and subjecting them to mental and physical torture.
The group highlights that during the recent Eid celebrations, people were not allowed to leave their homes for essential shopping. The BNM reports that in the past year, more than 20 individuals in Mashkai were killed by the Pakistani military after being detained and tortured. The bodies of Baloch civilians are allegedly desecrated and sometimes burned to destroy evidence and instill fear.
The BNM warns international human rights organizations that ignoring the “undeclared curfew” in Mashkai and other Balochistan areas could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. It urges Baloch activists to use the hashtag “#MashkaiUnderSiege” on social media to raise global awareness of the critical situation in the region. Meanwhile, the Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ) expresses serious concerns over Pakistani military operations in various Balochistan regions, including Zehri, Kalat, Mastung, and Quetta.
