Balochistan

A fact-finding mission led by HRCP has observed a palpable sense of anger among ordinary citizens, many of whom went so far as to refer to Balochistan as a 'colony' of the state during meetings with the organisation. The team spoke to a wide range of civil society members, including human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, and members of the fisherfolk community, as well as political leaders and members of the administration in Gwadar, Turbat, Panjgur and Quetta.

In fierce clashes late on Wednesday, the criminals had fired rocket launchers, mortars and other weapons at the poorly equipped police force for more than five hours. Dera Ghazi Khan Regional Police Officer (RPO) Khurram Ali Shah told Dawn that a heavy exchange of fire ended up in the killing of proclaimed offender and ringleader of a notorious gang, Khuda Bukhsh Lound, who also had a head money of Rs1.8 million against him.

In a statement issued through BAASK Media, BNA spokesperson Mureed Baloch said: "Gulzar Imam alias Shambay is in custody of Pakistani secretive agencies. He had gone missing some time ago. The organisation investigated the issue and found out through credible evidence that Gulzar Imam alias Shambay is under custody of Pakistani secretive agencies."

Meskanzai was shot dead while offering Isha prayers at a mosque. The Quetta Bar Association has announced three-day mourning and a boycott of the courts, Geo News reported. "The former chief justice came to offer Isha prayers at a mosque near his residence located in Gazai area of Kharan where unidentified miscreants opened fire at him," Nazir Ahmed Kurd, DIG, Rakhshan Division, told Geo News.

The traders belonging to the community closed all their shops and gathered in the Shahi Bazaar area and joined the march, which was led by Mahraj Ghansham, Dewan Hari Chaand and Dr Nanad Lal. To show solidarity with the Hindu community, religious and political parties also joined the protest. The marchers chanted slogans against the local administration.

In an emailed statement sent to India Narrative, the BLA said that it had first arrested two Pakistani military personnel near Zardaalo, an area in Harnai Balochistan, following which Pakistani helicopters arrived in the area. The BLA said it then shot down at least one chopper near Khost, Harnai.

Already battered by flash floods, the province lost communication with the rest of the country after overnight rains as the South Asian nation struggles to cope with the humanitarian disaster, The Express Tribune reported citing officials as saying. The destruction of infrastructure and breakdown in communication links adds to the difficulties faced by the authorities in rescue and relief efforts in the region.