QUETTA: Two people were killed, and several policemen were injured as an operation to vacate government land in the provincial capital turned violent on Sunday.

The authorities launched an anti-encro­achment operation in the Chashma Achakzai area to clear the land “illegally occupied” by Afghan refugees, according to officials.

The local administration, along with a heavy contingent of police, which had arrived to vacate the land, faced heavy resistance from locals who had gathered to stop the operation.

Officials blamed the crowd for firing at the law enforcement personnel, which resulted in the death of two people and injuries to 10, including five cops. Police shifted the bodies and injured to Civil Hospital, according to Dr Wasim Baig, the hospital’s spokesman.

Police claimed to have arrested around 25 Afghan refugees who they accused of living illegally on government land and attacking the police.

After the operation, locals blocked the Quetta-Chaman National Hig­hway at Baleli Point.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2024

Opinion

From hard to harder

From hard to harder

Instead of ‘hard state’ turning even harder, citizens deserve a state that goes soft on them in delivering democratic and development aspirations.

Editorial

Canal unrest
Updated 03 Apr, 2025

Canal unrest

With rising water scarcity in Indus system, it is crucial to move towards a consensus-driven policymaking process.
Iran-US tension
03 Apr, 2025

Iran-US tension

THE Trump administration’s threats aimed at Iran do not bode well for global peace, and unless Washington changes...
Flights to history
03 Apr, 2025

Flights to history

MOHENJODARO could have been the forgotten gold we desperately need. Instead, this 5,000-year-old well of antiquity ...
Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
Updated 01 Apr, 2025

Women’s rights

Such judgements, and others directly impacting women’s rights should be given more airtime in media.
Not helping
Updated 02 Apr, 2025

Not helping

If it's committed to peace in Balochistan, the state must draw a line between militancy and legitimate protest.