Islamabad: A large number of protesters entered the Civil Hospital in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, and ran away with many bodies. It is believed that these bodies belong to the rebels of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), who recently attacked the Jaffar Express passenger train in Bolan. This demonstration outside the civil hospital was organized by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), an organization led by controversial Baloch rights activist Mehrang Baloch.
Protesters forcefully entered hospital
Family members of the missing persons were protesting demanding the authorities to allow them to identify the bodies. Hospital officials said that the protesters managed to forcefully enter the morgue and took away at least five bodies with them. However, it is not yet clear whether the relatives of the missing persons identified the bodies before taking them away.
Pakistan government confirms incident
Local officials have confirmed that the bodies belonged to the attackers of the Jaffar Express passenger train and belonged to the banned BLA militant group. A provincial government official said, "The bodies that were taken away were unidentified bodies of those 'terrorists' who were killed in the military operation after the attack on the Jaffar Express." These reports were also confirmed by BYC activists, who said that some protesters took away several bodies from the hospital morgue. They claimed that the families of the missing persons had gathered at the hospital to identify their loved ones.
What the Baloch protesters said
A BYC member said, "We have been trying to reach the mortuary for two days to convince the family members of the missing people that the bodies kept there are not of their loved ones." Police officials conducted raids in various parts of Quetta, recovering at least three bodies. According to sources, raids were conducted in Sariab Road and Secretariat Chowk and several people were also detained.
Pakistan is investigating Mehrang Baloch
Sources said that the role of BYC and its chief Mehrang Baloch is being investigated in the case of using the issue of missing people in Balochistan to target the country's military establishment and government policies. He is accused of allying with BLA.
