As many as 13 labourers, who lost their lives in the Turbat firing incident, have been laid to rest in Rahim Yar Khan, whereas the bereaved families also offered the funeral prayer of five labourers in Tharparkar and two in Badin on Sunday.
The bodies of deceased labourers have been buried in their local areas while hundreds of people attended their funeral and expressed grief over the incident.
Earlier, gunmen had killed 20 construction workers in the Turbat area of Balochistan, shooting them at point blank range after identifying that they were not locals.
The Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) claimed responsibility for the incident. BLF spokesman Goran Baloch said the group would carry out more attacks.
Moreover, police on Sunday registered a case BLF chief Allah Nazar Baloch.
According to source at the Turbat Police Station, the case was registered against the banned organisation’s leader and his accomplices under anti-terrorism laws.
Eight Levies personnel who were accused of fleeing when terrorists attacked the labourers’ camp have also been arrested.
INITIAL REPORT SENT TO PM:
Meanwhile, the Balochistan government on Sunday sent the initial report of killing of 20 labourers in Turbat to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The report said that between 15 to 20 armed men launched the attack and killed the labourers from Punjab and Sindh with close range fire after identifying them that they were not locals. It said that the Levies personnel who were on security duty did not react to the attack by the gunmen.
The prime minister was further informed that a joint investigation team (JIT) has been formed which will present its report in a week.
FAMILIES ACCUSE:
The bereaved families of the Turbat victims Sunday alleged that police officers of brutally beat them up over staging a protest.
The relative revealed that the police were trying to forcibly bury Mitho, a labour in Turbat, late at night. When they found resistance security forces tortured Qamar and Liaquat over their protest demonstration on the matter.
As per sources, the order of beating the family was given by Senior House Officer (SHO) Muslim Zia.
SECURITY FORCES IN MAKRAN:
Meanwhile, security forces have decided to conduct a grand operation in the Makran division, Balochistan and 12 personnel of the Frontier Corps have been called to Turbat.
More than 3,000 security personnel from Rangers, FC and local law enforcement agencies will take part in the operation to be carried out under the supervision of FC DG. Reports suggest that the decision for the operation was taken after the murder of 20 labourers in Turbat.
The massacre of 20 innocent construction workers again proves that these ruthless and barbaric terrorists will stop at nothing to achieve their agenda. Unfortunately, this is not the first time they've targeted innocent people in their bid to spread fear and chaos. We've witnessed several inhumane acts of terror in recent times. The need of the hour is to stand united against the growing threat of terrorism in the region. Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of the victims' during this difficult time. We recognize that the Pakistani security forces are working hard to restore peace in the country, and this counter attack clearly shows that Pakistani authorities will not let these enemies of peace push ahead without any consequences. The U.S. and Pakistan share a common stance against terrorism, and it is our wish and desire to see peace prevail throughout Pakistan. At the end of the day, we cannot have a safe and secure region without a safe and secure Pakistan.
Ali Khan
Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM
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