Executive Summary

After a fragile lull in violence during past weeks, acute violence revisited the province during the week in focus. A car explosion outside the residence of a Baloch politician reportedly carried out by Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and killed 13 people was the hallmark of the week. In sum 15 people were killed in different episodes of violence across the conflict stricken province.

According to Balochistan Police Department estimates during 2011, 59 people were killed in target killings, 91 people of Shia community in sectarian violence, 480 people were abducted, 231 mutilated bodies were found of missing persons, and 218 security personnel were killed in exchange of fires and bomb blasts across Balochistan.

Lawmakers in Balochistan Assembly on December 28 severely slated Interior Minister Rehman Malik for sabotaging peace and reconciliation process in Balochistan with his superfluous statements and words.

Senator Hasil Bizenjo alleged that repression at the hands of the security agencies and the denial of even the most basic human rights are among the major issues in Balochistan. He termed the state ‘as a major violator of human rights in the province’.

Week in Review

a) Acts of Terrorism/ Subversion and Abductions

• A bullet riddled body of Gulam Qader, son of Doshamby, a resident of Nasirabad, Turbat was discovered by Balochistan Levies on December 27 in Murgap area of Turbat city, about 900-kilometer south of the provincial capital.[1]
• Inspector General of Balochistan Police Rao Amin Hashim underscored on December 28 that target killings of settlers in Balochistan, especially people belonging to Punjab has significantly declined during the current year. He noted that on the contrary there is a sharp increase in the discovery of bullet-riddled bodies of missing persons, sectarian violence and kidnappings for ransom in the chronically volatile province. He mentioned that as many as 59 settlers were gunned down this year and the number is much lower than a triple-digit figure for 2010. During 2011, 480 people were abducted, while 91 people of Shia community were killed in sectarian clashes in Balochistan. In kill and dump operation, 231 mutilated bodies were found across Balochistan in 2011. Also, during different incidences of violence as many as 218 personnel of law enforcement agencies were also killed during 2011.[2]
• The key witness in the Kharotabad incident, police surgeon Dr Syed Baqir Shah, was shot dead on Thursday, December 29 afternoon while on his way to home. Dr Shah carried out autopsies of five foreigners, including two women, one of whom was seven-months pregnant, who were shot dead by security forces in Kharotabad on the pretext of being ¿terrorists– on May 17. Shah testimony to a committee set up to probe the incident provided incriminating evidence against police and other law-enforcement agencies– negligence. He declared that all victims had died of gunshot wounds fired by the security forces, instead of their own (victims) hand grenade, as claimed by the police.[3]
• Balochistan Levies personnel recovered four employees of the health department after an encounter with kidnappers in Pishin on Friday, December 30. The encounter left five kidnappers dead while one caught alive and two levies personnel were injured. Earlier, a group of armed men kidnapped three employees of the Balochistan Health Department, and they were identified as technician Mohammad Asad and workers Noor Shah and Mohabbat Khan from the Hailkalzai Basic Health Unit and a lady health worker from the nearby Malayzai Basic Health Unit.[4]
• The Frontier Corps (FC) recovered a kidnapped worker Gulzar on December 30 who was kidnapped few days ago, who was engaged in anti-polio campaign when went missing. A wireless set, four chargers and 10 kilograms explosives were recovered from the site while the kidnappers managed to escape.[5]
• Public sector hospitals in major parts of Balochistan remained closed on Friday, December 30 to protest the killing of police surgeon Dr Syed Baqar Shah, a key witness in the Kharotabad incident. Dr Shah was shot dead by two unidentified armed men near Golimar Chowk while on his way home from the Bolan Medical College Hospital (BMC) on Thursday afternoon.[6]
• According to security officials, a car packed with around 50 kilograms of explosives was rammed into the house of Shafiq Mengal in Quetta on December 31, which resulted in the killing of at least 13 people including women and children while 35 others were injured. Shafiq is the son of a former federal minister Naseer Mengal. However, the Mengal family remained safe. The banned militant group Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack.[7]
• According to police officials on January 1, 2012, rocket attacks created panic in the provincial capital, a day after a blast claimed the lives of 13 in Quetta. However, all the rockets landed and exploded in desolate places, causing no casualties. An official added that rockets were fired from an unspecified location, presumably the surrounding mountain area of Quetta. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident.[8]
• Unidentified armed men hurled a hand grenade at police mobile on January 1, 2012 near Sirat Chowk, Hub district in Balochistan, and injured at least five people including three policemen and two civilians. The attackers managed to escape.[9]

b) Political Front

Interior Minister Rehman Malik came under heavy criticism during the session of Balochistan Assembly on December 28 over his statements regarding unregistered religious seminaries in the province. The lawmakers expressed their reservations that despite 2012 being labeled as the year of Balochistan, it may prove to be the worst one. Senior Provincial Minister Maulana Abdul Wasey of the Jamiat-i-Ulema Islam (JUI-F) lashed out at Malik and noted that whenever there is a process underway for religious harmony and unity, Mr Malik is there to sabotage the process.[10]

Senior Vice President, National Party, Balochistan Senator Hasil Bizenjo said that repression at the hands of the security agencies and the denial of even the most basic human rights are among the major issues in Balochistan. He termed the state as a major violator of human rights in the province. He was speaking at a seminar on ‘Human rights situation in Balochistan: issues and challenges’ at Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Monday. He added that the Balochis have genuine grievances for being disenchanted in relation with the state. He underlined: ‘— the security establishment and the government does not have the vision or will to address these happenings,’ —they are not even ready to accept such human rights violations are taking place in the province. Only common people are worried about the Balochistan crisis, not the powerful ruling elite’.[11]

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[1] Bullet riddled body of Turbat native found near Murgap–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/312733/bullet-riddled-body-of-turbat-native-found-near-murgap/

[2] Balochistan security review: Sharp fall in target killing of settlers–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/312911/balochistan-security-review-sharp-fall-in-target-killing-of-settlers/

[3] Kharotabad killings: ¿Tattling– police surgeon silenced ¿, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/313657/kharotabad-inquiry-police-surgeon-killed-in-quetta/

[4]4 Balochistan Health Department employees recovered, 5 kidnappers killed ¿, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/314151/four-balochistan-health-department-employees-recovered/

[5] Kidnapped health worker recovered from Nasirabad–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/314156/kidnapped-health-worker-recovered-from-nasirabad/

[6] Kharotabad incident: Doctors protest witness– killing ¿, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/314127/doctors-protest-against-murder-of-dr-baqir-shah/

[7] Balochistan insurgency: Blast near Baloch politician home kills 13 ¿, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/314168/8-killed-12-injured-in-quetta-blast/

[8] Unrest in Balochistan: Rocket blitz sparks panic in Quetta ¿, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/314582/three-rockets-detonate-harmlessly-but-spread-fear-in-quetta/

[9] Five people, including 3 policemen, injured in hand grenade attack–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/314934/five-people-including-3-policemen-injured-in-hand-grenade-attack/

[10] Balochistan Assembly: Minister accuses Malik of sabotaging peace process–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/313241/ba-session-rehman-malik-sabotaging-peace-process-in-balochistan-wasay/

[11] Call for help: Balochistan deemed ¿human rights free zone–, available athttp://tribune.com.pk/story/312472/call-for-help-balochistan-deemed-human-rights-free-zone/