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Pakistan Army to Clear Decades-Old Refugee Camps in Balochistan's Kalat, Shorparud Hills

By English

Quetta, Pakistan — Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has announced that the Pakistan Army will conduct an operation to evacuate approximately 1,000 people living in refugee camps in the Kalat and Shorparud hills, relocating them to other areas. Bugti made the announcement during a session of the Balochistan Assembly, according to a report by The Balochistan Post. The chief minister said the camps in the Shorparud mountains have remained in place since the 1970s without being fully dismantled, calling this a significant problem. He remarked that those who recall past periods as peaceful should also acknowledge that preparations for conflict persisted even during those times. Bugti also referenced a recent militant attack on security forces in the Mastung area that resulted in the deaths of soldiers. He alleged that local residents were sheltering militants within their orchards and stated that these orchards would now be placed under surveillance. As part of related security measures, authorities have directed residents of Batu, Ahmadwal, Haruni and Jorkin villages in Mastung, along with parts of Nushki, to temporarily vacate their homes for a two-month period. Reports indicate that military forces have since begun forcibly removing residents from these areas. In a separate incident reported by The Balochistan Post, unidentified attackers threw three hand grenades at the Shalkot police station in the Hazar Ganji area of Quetta, injuring a police officer and a bystander. Additionally, on Saturday, gunmen opened fire on a Pakistan Army armored vehicle patrolling the Coastal Highway, killing two soldiers and injuring two others.