Pakistani Air Force strikes on the Gidar area of Surab district in Balochistan reportedly killed more than 30 civilians, including women and children, and injured several others, according to Baloch activists and human rights organisations who condemned the attacks on Wednesday, 12 August. The allegations have drawn urgent calls for an independent international investigation.

What Activists Are Alleging

Human rights defender Mir Yar Baloch cited local reports describing the Pakistani Air Force carrying out what he called 'indiscriminate bombing' of civilian areas in Gidar. In a post on X, Mir stated that hospitals in the affected area had been surrounded by military personnel, with doctors and medical staff reportedly being intimidated and prevented from delivering timely care. He further noted that drones and Cobra gunship helicopters were continuing to patrol the skies over the region, and that some casualties occurred because injured civilians could not reach hospitals in time.

BYC Leader Describes It as 'Genocide'

Sabiha Baloch, central leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), condemned the strikes in a post on X, describing the killing of innocent Baloch civilians — including children — as 'genocide.' She alleged that Pakistani forces had surrounded the affected area, restricting access for rescue teams, medical staff, ambulances, and journalists. 'Blocking humanitarian assistance and independent documentation compounds the grave human rights violations and demands immediate international attention,' she wrote, urging journalists, medical teams, and humanitarian organisations worldwide to demand immediate access to the area.

Rights Body Demands International Accountability

Human rights organisation Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ) called for an 'immediate, independent, transparent and internationally monitored investigation' into the incident. The BVJ stated that the identities and details of those killed and injured must be made public, and those responsible must be held accountable. It stressed that all military operations must comply with international humanitarian law and the principles governing the protection of civilian life.

The BVJ also urged the United Nations, UN human rights mechanisms, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the broader international community to end what it described as silence over 'violence and war crimes' against civilians in Balochistan by Pakistani forces. 'The continued silence of the international community risks allowing such incidents to occur without accountability,' the organisation noted.

Context and What Comes Next

Balochistan has for years been the site of a low-intensity conflict between Pakistani security forces and Baloch separatist groups. Allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and collective punishment have been documented by multiple international human rights bodies, though Pakistani authorities have consistently denied targeting civilians. Independent verification of the 12 August strikes remains difficult given reported restrictions on media and humanitarian access to Surab. Pressure is expected to mount on international bodies to demand access and accountability in the days ahead.