Balochistan Gets a Military Operation On Christmas Eve · Global Voices
Qurratulain (Annie) Zaman

The Pakistan army has launched a military operation in the Awaran district of Balochistan on Christmas Eve. Apparently the operation was targeting the Tehsil Mashkai of separatist leader Dr. Allah Nazar’s home in Mahi village.
Let us build Pakistan (LUBP) blogs:
Dr Allah Nazar Baloch family was specifically targeted in the action. His aged mother along with other family members mostly women and children are injured. Homes of Dr Allah Nazar Baloch, his brother Safar Khan Baloch along with dozens of other homes are arsoned after looting. They have taken away Dr Allah Nazar Baloch, brother-in-Laws Shah Baig Baloch and Naeem Baloch with many Baloch youngsters.
Tarek Fatahtweets:
Protesters demonstrating near 10 Downing Street. Image by Ruth Whitworth. Copyright Demotix (30/8/2012)
As world celebrates X'mas, Pakistan Army has laid siege to Mashkai in #Balochistan for 2 days with heli-gunships. Help!http://t.co/t9oNYKTx
— Tarek Fatah  ਤਾਰਿਕ  (@TarekFatah) December 25, 2012
According to the Baloch twitterati, the 72-hour long military action targeted the civilian population. The memorial account of Baloch independence icon Balaach Marri continued tweeting the updates on the military operation and death toll. Balaach was killed in a military operation in 2007.
MASHKAY Civilian Death Toll Rises to 31: inc. 12 from same family, women and children mainly targeted in bombardment #BalochistanOperation
— TheBaloch (@BalaachMarri) December 26, 2012
Army smartly chose Dec 25 for Mashkay operation because all Pakistan & India would be busy watching #PakVsInd match. #BalochistanOperation
— TheBaloch (@BalaachMarri) December 26, 2012
#Mashkay is still under siege no local journalist is allowd to visit  area to report the exact number of death toll, #BalochistanOperation
— Archen Baloch (@ArchenBaloch) December 26, 2012
https://twitter.com/Natrani/status/283877223574953984
Let us build Pakistan blogs:
„Mainstream media is busy airing stories on singer Annie domestic issues with her husbands. They know, it will cater more interest than any news about war ravaged Balochistan.”
The incomplete list of civilians killed in the operation is also shared on twitter.
Incomplete list of martyrs & injured in yesterday's military operation by Pakistan Army at Mashkay Balochistan. pic.twitter.com/Ab2GAlZ7
— Borhaan Arifee (@Barifee) December 26, 2012
There are few pictures circulated on social media however the authenticity of these pictures are still not confirmed.
Photo by Sangat Baloch, used with permission
Photo by Sangat Baloch, used with permission
This is not the first military operation by the Pakistan army or the Frontier Corps in Balochistan. However, the Balochistan issue never gets much attention in the mainstream media and political discourse. Baloch twitterati mostly live in exile or tweet anonymously due to security reasons.
Ignorants: –  those who think any military Op  doesn't violate civilians Human Rights – shame on those calling Baloch tweeps liars #Mashkey
— salma jafar (@Chiltan) December 26, 2012
BOMB us, DISPLACE us, ABDUCT us, TORTURE us, KILL us, But at end of the day Balochistan won't be yours. #Mashkay #BalochistanOperation
— Faiz Baluch  (@Faiz_Baluch) December 26, 2012