BNM slams Pakistan army 'siege' in Mashkai, warns of Balochistan crisis
Synopsis
A two-week undeclared curfew in Mashkai has turned Balochistan's Awaran district into a flashpoint. The BNM alleges over 20 killings in a year, torture in military camps, and desecration of bodies — even Eid shopping was banned. With the #MashkaiUnderSiege campaign gaining traction, pressure is mounting on the UN to act.
Key Takeaways
The BNM alleges a two-week military siege in Mashkai , Balochistan's Awaran district.
Markets, hospitals, and schools remain shut; one-hour daily reopening allowed under military watch in Gajjar village .
Over 20 people were reportedly killed in Mashkai in the past year after camp summons or detention.
The BVJ flags operations in Zehri, Kalat, Mastung, and Quetta , including alleged drone strikes.
Sardar Naseer Ahmed Moosiani and his sons reportedly subjected to enforced disappearance.
Rights groups have appealed to the United Nations for an independent probe.
The Baloch National Movement (BNM) on 3 June condemned what it called a two-week-long military siege imposed by Pakistani forces in the Mashkai area of Balochistan's Awaran district, alleging that residents have been confined to their homes amid a sweeping undeclared curfew. The group warned that markets, hospitals, and schools remain shut, triggering a deepening humanitarian crisis in the restive province.
Key Allegations by the BNM
In a statement, the BNM said shops, medical facilities, and educational institutions have remained closed for a fortnight, leaving residents unable to step out for daily livelihood activities. The group added that in Gajjar village and other small bazaars, the military reportedly permits limited reopening for just one hour a day under its supervision.
“During this short window, only nearby residents are able to purchase essential food supplies, while people from distant villages remain deprived and face severe difficulties in accessing basic necessities,” the BNM said.
Detentions and Torture Claims
The BNM accused the Pakistani military of summoning residents of small towns and villages to military camps in the morning and detaining them until evening, where they were allegedly subjected to mental and physical torture. It further claimed that even during the recent Eid celebrations, residents were not permitted to leave their homes for essential shopping.
According to the BNM, more than 20 people were killed in Mashkai over the past year after being called to military camps or taken into custody, with several others reportedly arrested and killed after detention this year. The group alleged that the bodies of slain Baloch civilians are desecrated and, in some cases, burned — a claim it said is intended to destroy evidence and instill fear.
Appeal to Global Rights Bodies
The BNM warned that failure by international human rights organisations to take note of the “undeclared curfew” in Mashkai and other parts of Balochistan could deepen the humanitarian crisis. It urged Baloch political and human rights activists to amplify the issue on social media using the hashtag #MashkaiUnderSiege.
BVJ Flags Wider Crackdown
Separately, the rights group Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ) raised concerns over Pakistani military operations in Zehri, Kalat, Mastung, and Quetta, citing allegations of drone strikes in civilian areas and resulting casualties. The BVJ flagged the arrest and alleged enforced disappearance of Sardar Naseer Ahmed Moosiani and his sons Zehri Khan and Khalil Ahmed, alongside the Mashkai curfew, as factors heightening provincial tensions.
What Comes Next
The BVJ has called on the United Nations and international human rights organisations to examine the allegations and ensure independent investigations into reported violations in Balochistan. With the curfew entering its third week and rights groups intensifying online campaigns, international scrutiny on Islamabad's Balochistan policy is likely to grow in the coming days.
Point of View
And Mashkai is the latest test case. The BNM's allegations — undeclared curfews, camp-based torture, body desecration — are grave, but the absence of independent media access makes verification near-impossible, which is precisely the asymmetry Islamabad relies on. The pattern of operations spreading to Zehri, Kalat, Mastung, and Quetta suggests a wider security push, not a contained operation. Without UN-mandated access, hashtag campaigns like #MashkaiUnderSiege remain the only signal — and that is itself an indictment of the global rights architecture.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mashkai military siege alleged by the BNM?
The Baloch National Movement alleges that Pakistani forces have enforced an undeclared curfew in Mashkai, in Balochistan's Awaran district, for two weeks, confining residents to their homes. Markets, hospitals, and schools reportedly remain shut, with limited one-hour reopenings under military supervision.
How many people have reportedly been killed in Mashkai?
According to the BNM, over 20 people have been killed in Mashkai in the past year after being summoned to military camps or detained. The group claims several more have been arrested and killed in custody this year.
What has the Baloch Voice for Justice alleged?
The BVJ has flagged Pakistani military operations across Zehri, Kalat, Mastung, and Quetta, including alleged drone strikes in civilian areas. It has also raised concerns about the enforced disappearance of Sardar Naseer Ahmed Moosiani and his two sons.
What action are rights groups demanding?
Both the BNM and BVJ have urged the United Nations and international human rights organisations to investigate the alleged violations in Balochistan. The BNM has also called for a social media campaign under the hashtag #MashkaiUnderSiege to draw global attention.
Why is the situation in Balochistan significant?
Balochistan has long been the site of an insurgency and counter-insurgency, with rights groups repeatedly alleging enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and curbs on civic life. The Mashkai allegations point to an intensification of these patterns, with limited independent verification possible due to restricted media access.
