Quetta, August 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Several Baloch activists and human rights groups have condemned reported Pakistani airstrikes in Balochistan’s Surab district, alleging that more than 30 civilians, including women and children, were killed and several others injured.
According to local reports cited by human rights defender Mir Yar Baloch, the Pakistani Air Force carried out what he described as “indiscriminate bombing” in civilian areas of Gidar in Surab district. He alleged that the strikes caused significant damage to civilian properties in addition to the reported loss of life.
In a post on X, Mir Yar Baloch claimed that military personnel had surrounded hospitals in the affected area and that doctors and medical staff were being intimidated and prevented from providing timely treatment. He further alleged that some injured civilians died because they could not reach medical facilities in time.
Residents, according to his account, also reported seeing drones and Cobra gunship helicopters continuing to patrol the area.
Sabiha Baloch, a central leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), also condemned the reported strikes, alleging that civilians, including children, had been targeted. She described the incident as “genocide”.
Sabiha further alleged that Pakistani security forces had cordoned off the affected area, restricting access to rescue teams, medical personnel, ambulances and journalists. She called for immediate access for humanitarian and medical teams and urged journalists and international organisations to independently document the incident.
Human rights organisation Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ) called for an immediate, independent and transparent investigation under international monitoring.
The organisation said the identities of those killed and injured should be made public and those responsible should be held accountable. It stressed that the protection of civilians, particularly women and children, is a fundamental responsibility of the state and that military operations must comply with international humanitarian law.
BVJ also appealed to the United Nations, its human rights mechanisms, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and other members of the international community to address what it described as violence and alleged war crimes against civilians in Balochistan.
The group said affected families had the right to justice, protection and information about the fate of their relatives.
The casualty figures and other allegations cited in the reports could not be independently verified.
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