The Baloch Students Organisation (BSO)-Azad on Tuesday, 4 August declared that Pakistan functions as a 'rogue state' with no regard for morality or religious sensitivities, following reports that helicopter shelling by Pakistani forces in the Khadkocha area of Mastung district, Balochistan, damaged a mosque and religious texts, including copies of the Quran. The statement underscores a deepening contradiction between Pakistan's self-projection as an Islamic Republic and its military conduct in restive provinces.

The Mastung Incident

Pakistani authorities described the operation in Mastung district as targeting Baloch insurgents. However, local residents alleged that the shelling struck civilian areas, damaging a mosque, surrounding infrastructure, and religious books stored inside. The incident triggered a shutter-down strike in the area, which the BSO-Azad said reflected 'not only anger but also a profound sense of resistance' among the local population.

BSO-Azad's Core Charge

The organisation argued that Pakistan repeatedly presents itself as a state founded on Islamic principles — through its constitution, diplomatic forums, and public rhetoric — yet its military operations in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have, according to the group, violated and disrespected the religious beliefs of local communities. 'Mosques are not ordinary structures; they are among the most sacred places in Islam, symbolising worship, unity, and peace,' the BSO-Azad said in its statement. 'The Holy Quran and other religious texts are revered by Muslims as deserving the highest respect.'

The group added: 'Pakistan and its army should be held accountable with transparency for damaging religious sites and targeting innocent people through the use of brutal force.'

Broader Pattern Alleged

The BSO-Azad contended that the Mastung episode is not an isolated incident, asserting that Pakistan's 'past criminal history' across both Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa demonstrates a consistent pattern of disregarding civilian and religious sensitivities. The organisation claimed: 'No one is safe under its rule, from being Muslims to being part of other religions; this state has been a hell for everyone surviving here.'

Notably, this comes amid sustained international scrutiny of Pakistan's counterinsurgency methods in Balochistan, where enforced disappearances and civilian casualties have drawn repeated condemnation from human rights groups.

BSO-Azad's Position on Baloch Resistance

Reaffirming its separatist stance, the organisation stated that every act of violence strengthens the Baloch movement seeking freedom from what it termed 'colonial rule.' It urged the Baloch people to recognise that Pakistan, in its view, is 'not Islamic, but only misusing the name of sacred Islam.' The group said it remains committed to exposing what it described as Pakistan's undermining of Baloch cultural values and religious sentiments.

The Pakistani government has not issued a public response to the BSO-Azad statement. How Islamabad addresses the mosque-damage allegations is likely to shape the next phase of local sentiment in Mastung.