The spate of unabated violence continued in the province to batter security, economic and political environment in the hapless province during the current week. The highlight of the week was a deadly clash between militants and the paramilitary troops on January 17 in Behlol area near Chamalang coal field, killing 10 militants. In sum, 15 people fell prey to different incidents of violence across the province.

Inspector General Frontier Corps (FC), Major General Ubaidullah Khan Khattak said that although Balochistan is witnessing unprecedented fall in rocket attacks and bomb blasts, the kidnapping for ransom is emerging as the new phenomena in the province. He termed this trend as the major source of generating funds for the militants.

The Balochistan Bar Association (BBA) observed strike on January 19 across the province to protest the killing of Lawyer Malik Sadiq by unidentified militants in Hub, Lasbela district and demanded to bring the culprits to justice.

Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi said on January 22 that every lawmaker in the provincial assembly is responsible for deteriorating law and order in the province. He urged that realization of responsibilities is the call of the day for everyone to restore peace in the volatile province.

Week in Review

a) Acts of Terrorism/Subversion and Abduction

• According to police officials, unidentified armed men intercepted a vehicle that was on its way from Dera Ghazi Khan to Quetta near Chori Bridge and abducted four people identified as Ghafoor Khan, National Bank Manager Cantonment Branch, Abdul Shakoor, a lecturer in Khuzdar College, Yasir and Jabar on January 16. Meanwhile, in another incident of sectarian killing, armed men opened fire on a security guard identified as Musa Khan in Jam Colony in District Hub, Quetta who died later on.[1]

• The political activists of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), National Party (NP) and traders staged protest demonstration on the national highway near Dera Allayar and blocked the traffic between Sindh and Balochistan on January 16. They were protesting against the surge in incidents of kidnapping in Jaffarabad district. The protestors demanded safe and immediate release of former Union Council Nazim Ali Ahmed Kandrani, who was kidnapped by a group of armed men about two months ago. A complete shutter down strike was observed in different townships of Jaffarabad including Dera Allahyar, Sohbatpur, Panwar Sinari, Majipur, Gora Nari and adjacent areas to condemn the kidnappings.[2]
• According to Balochistan Levies, two mutilated bodies were found in separate areas of Balochistan on January 17. One identified as Wazir Khan Marri, resident of Goht Lal Mohammad Marri in Karachi was recovered in the Liari area of Lasbela district, while the other mutilated body which could not be identified was recovered in the Chitkan area of Panjgur district.[3]
• A bullet-riddled body, identified as Munir Ahmed, was found near Sorap Dam area of Panjgur district on January 17. Ahmad had been missing for the last six days.[4]
• According to security officials, Frontier Corps (FC) was establishing a check post in Behlol area near Chamalang coal field on January 17 when armed men opened fire on them and resultantly in exchange of fire FC killed at least 10 militants and injured several others. Behlol was the scene of an attack on FC men last year in November that killed 10 soldiers, including a Major. Chamalang coalfield is considered to be an important project of the Pakistan Army and operations are conducted under strict security.[5]
• The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) suspended gas supply to Quetta, Kalat, Mastung, Pishin and adjacent districts of Balochistan on Tuesday, January 17, after unknown assailants blew up an 18 inch diameter high pressure gas pipeline in Pat Feeder in Sui near the border area between Sindh and Balochistan. The banned militant group Baloch Republican Army (BRA) claimed responsibility for the attack.[6]
• In an incident of target killing, unknown armed militants shot dead a young Baloch, identified as Sardar Muhammad, at Killi Kashmirabad area near Sariab Police Station in Quetta on January 18.[7]
• Inspector General Frontier Corps, Major General Ubaidullah Khan Khattak, while addressing the media at the FC headquarter, on January 20, said that incidents of kidnappings have increased in Balochistan at an alarming level and have become a source for generating funds for militants. He added that ‘while Balochistan has witnessed a decline in rocket attacks and bomb blasts ´ particularly targeting gas pipelines, power pylons and railway tracks ´ incidents of kidnappings for ransom have increased’. He urged the Baloch youth to drop their weapons and join hands for peace.[11]
• According to security officials, The Frontier Corps (FC) paramilitary troops intercepted 12 containers near the Chaman border on January 20 that were on their way to Afghanistan carrying fuel and military hardware for the NATO-led forces. The drivers were taken into custody by the security forces.[12]

• Lawyers boycotted court proceedings across Balochistan on January 19 to protest the killing of their fellow Malik Sadiq who was shot and injured by unknown assailants in Hub, Lasbela district. He succumbed to his injuries later on and died at hospital. The strike call was given by the Balochistan Bar Association (BBA) and the Balochistan High Court. President of BBA Dawood Kasi, senior lawyer Baz Mohammad Kakar and others condemned the killing in a press statement.[8]
• An explosion occurred near the building of the Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) in Sui area of Dera Bugti District on January 19, however no casualty was reported. According to police officials, unknown men planted explosives near the building of PPL and detonated it with remote control.[9]
• Unidentified militants blew up a 16-inch diameter gas pipeline near Pir Koh area in Dera Bugti District of Balochistan on January 20. According to the sources, an explosive device was planted on a gas pipeline, which went off and disrupted gas supply from the wells no 15 and 17 to the gas purification plant.[10]

b) Political Front

Former senator and Baloch leader Abdul Hayee Baloch while talking to journalists on January 17 said that the PML-N decision to move the Supreme Court over Memogate has the blessing of the establishment. The memo is a political issue which needs to be resolved through political means. He said the PML-N chief is being used by the military establishment and any court verdict against parliament would disrupt the already fragile democracy. He called on all institutions to work within their constitutional limits to protect democracy in the country.[13]

After 10^th convocation of the University of Balochistan on January 22, Balochistan Governor, Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, while explaining the volatile security situation in Balochistan, said that every elected member of the Balochistan assembly is responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation since they are not playing their role in restoring peace in the province.[14]

c) Social Front

The provincial capital and parts of northern and central Balochistan received heavy snowfall on January 22 along with icy Siberian winds. Meanwhile, the shortage of gas made it harder for people to cope with extreme temperatures. The flow of traffic between Quetta and Chaman was suspended since Khojak Top, a mountain that connects Quetta with Chaman, was blocked by due to heavy snow. As a result, hundreds of vehicles remained trapped on the national highway.[15]

[1] Balochistan unrest: 4 people abducted in Barkhan–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/322193/balochistan-unrest-4-people-abducted-in-barkhan/

[2] Political activists, traders protest against kidnapping incidents in Jaffarabad–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/322354/political-activists-traders-protest-against-kidnapping-incidents-in-jaffarabad/

[3] Macabre Discoveries: Two mutilated bodies found ¿, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/322742/macabre-discoveries-two-mutilated-bodies-found/

[4] Bullet-riddled body found in Balochistan–, at http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/detailed_news3.asp?date3=2012%2F1%2F18&image2.x=0&image2.y=0#5

[5]10 militants killed in Chamalang skirmishes–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/322598/10-militants-killed-in-chamalang-skirmishes/

[6] Gas supply suspended as militants blow up pipeline…again ¿, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/322905/gas-supply-suspended-as-militants-blow-up-pipeline-again/

[7] Civilian shot dead in Balochistan–, athttp://www.satp.org/satporgtp/detailed_news3.asp?date3=2012%2F1%2F19&image2.x=0&image2.y=0#4

[8] Lawyers boycott court over target killing–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/323879/lawyers-boycott-court-over-target-killing/

[9] Bomb blast in Balochistan–, at http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/detailed_news3.asp?date3=2012%2F1%2F20&image2.x=0&image2.y=0#8

[10] Gas pipeline blown up in Balochistan–, at http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/detailed_news3.asp?date3=2012%2F1%2F21&image2.x=0&image2.y=0#7

[11]Militants raising funds from kidnappings: FC ¿, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/324444/militants-raising-funds-from-kidnappings-fc/

[12] FC impound 12 NATO containers in Chaman–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/324442/supply-routes-fc-impound-12-nato-containers-in-chaman/

[13]Memogate: Baloch leader calls for parliamentary resolution ¿, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/322441/memogate-baloch-leader-calls-for-parliamentary-resolution/

[14] We–re to blame for poor law & order: Governor–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/325333/were-to-blame-for-poor-law-order-governor

[15]Extreme winter: Parts of Balochistan receive heavy snowfall–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/325341/extreme-winter-parts-of-balochistan-receive-heavy-snowfall/