Baloch diaspora stages protest in UK, accuses Pak of atrocities

Members of the Baloch diaspora in the United Kingdom UK held a protest outside 10 Downing Street London strongly condemning the ongoing military offensives carried out by the Pakistani state in Balochistan particularly highlighting the recent escalation of violence in the Zehri region of Khuzdar district news agency ANI reportedThe protesters assembled to draw global attention to the ldquosystematic campaign of state violence against Baloch civilians Holding placards and raising slogans they denounced Pakistanrsquos military operations and drone attacks which have reportedly resulted in the deaths of numerous innocent civilians including women and childrenThe Zehri region has recently emerged as a hotspot amid reports of intensified military aggression by the Pakistan Army The protesters claimed that villages have been raided homes set on fire and unarmed civilians targeted under the pretext of antiinsurgency operationsThis protest is not just about one region its about decades of brutality said one of the protesters adding But whats happening in Zehri right now is a humanitarian crisis Children are being killed families are being displaced and the world remains silentAddressing the gathering Baloch activist Mansoor Baloch said We are all here in front of the British Prime Ministers office all the brothers sisters and children to raise our voice against Pakistan because the Pakistani military has occupied Balochistan illegally Recently on the 5th of October they occupied one of the most important areas in Balochistan called Derry and they killed so many children as wellHe also called the Pakistani Army and its intelligence agency the InterService Intelligence ISI terrorist organisations Mansoon Baloch called upon the United Kingdom the United Nations and the United States to exert pressure on Pakistan to stop military operations stop abductions stop torture and stop the Baloch genocide in Balochistanrdquo ANI reportedAccording to him in the past two decades thousands of Baloch civilians have been killed and around 25000 remain in Pakistani custodyThey are abducting innocent civilians and labelling them terrorists he stated adding ldquoBaloch are not terrorists we are fighting for our basic rights This is not a crime Pakistan is committing crimes against humanity by killing innocent Baloch civiliansSpeaking about the recent protests in Balochistan Mansoor Baloch mentioned that security forces had opened fire on demonstrators who were demanding the release of missing personsA 12yearold boy was killed in front of Baloch mothers and sisters he said condemning the continuing violenceThe protesters appealed to the UK government and British Parliament to reconsider their policy towards Pakistan reported ANIDo not support Pakistan Support the Baloch people because Pakistan is a terrorist state Mansoor Baloch asserted adding We demand the UK government to pressurise Pakistan The Baloch are asking for their rights and freedom Its not a crimeOther countries have achieved their freedom and we Baloch are human beings too We need our freedom from Pakistan because Pakistan illegally occupied Balochistan The British government must intervene to support the Baloch in their struggle for independence he further statedThe demonstration according to organisers is part of a larger international campaign to amplify the voices of those in Balochistan who have long been neglected by the global communityWe are standing here today to be the voice of the voiceless the protesters stressed The people of Balochistan deserve justice dignity and peaceWith ANI inputs