GWADAR: The entire village of Zarren Bug in the Dasht area of Kech district wears a deserted look as the residents have migrated to Gwadar, Turbat, Karachi and other areas because of fierce clashes between militants and security forces in nearby mountains.

According to sources, the villagers whose main source of income is farming have sold their animals and properties and moved to other areas as human settlements in the area are not safe because of the clashes.

The security forces’ operation against the militants hiding in the mountainous area of Saiji Dasht and bloody clashes between them triggered fear among the people of Zarren Bug village, consisting of 500 houses. The entire village has been vacated.

Kech District Council Chairman Fida Hussain Dashti confirmed that besides Zarren Bug, thousands of people of Mulae Nagor, Jan Mohammad Bazaar and other localities of Dasht had fled their homes because of the fear of outbreak of violence.

The government had made no efforts to help them settle in a peaceful way.

The FC and other security forces have established their checkposts in Zarren Bug village and the Dasht civil administration shifted its office to the district headquarters of Turbat.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2016