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Pakistan Military Attacks Villages of Indigenous People in Baluchistan LONDON, Aerial bombardment of civilians in Baluchistan by the Pakistan military has killed hundreds of people in recent days. The Baluchistan Rights Movement, Sindhi Baluch Forum and World Sindhi Congress have learned that the victims include children, women and the elderly. The bombing is accompanied by artillery shelling, and hundreds of military check points have sealed off the Baluchistan province's Kohlu area. Refugees are being harassed along the Sibi-Tili road, Sibi-Lahri road and Dera Ghazi Khan-Kohlu road. Attacks include Baluch parts of Punjab, and parts of Dera Ghazi Khan have also taken a pounding. The attacks appear to follow a plan announced by President Pervez Musharraf, who announced he wanted to build three army bases in the region. Over 18 months, Pakistan army attacks in Baluchistan have systematically and grossly violated human rights. Hundreds of political activists have been abducted and are either held in secrecy or murdered by the government's intelligence agencies. "Ironically, this bombing and strafing Baluch villages is done with the very same military equipment provided by the USA to fight Al-Qaeda and remnants of the Taliban," said R. Kakepoto, information secretary of WSC. The heavy aerial and ground attacks in Baluchistan have displaced hundreds of thousands of residents. The international community is asked to pressure the Pakistan government to prevent a genocide of the Baluch people. Violations of international law must stop and the U.N. declaration of human rights must be enforced. World Sindhi Congress 423 V ST # A, Sacramento CA 91316, USA Tel. 1-818-917-6910 ~ Fax 1-775-599-9226 214 McGibbon Dr., Ottawa, ON K2L-3Y4 Canada.`Tel. 613-591-0451~Fax 815-550-5694 UK Company No: 03842312 California Corporation No.: C2740106 |