Pakistan: Baloch Protesters Clash with Security Forces in Gwadar, leaving 1 soldier dead

In Gwadar, Pakistan, a clash between protesters and security forces resulted in the death of one soldier and injuries to 16 others, VOA reported yesterday.

The incident occurred during a demonstration led by the Baloch nationalist movement, which has been advocating for the release of detained members. The army reported that military personnel were attacked while guarding the protesters. Movement leader Bebarg Baloch claimed that the army used excessive force, injuring several demonstrators, including women and children.

Balochistan’s Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti characterized the protest as a “conspiracy” against an upcoming foreign investors’ delegation and offered negotiations to restore peace. The ongoing unrest in the region is tied to a long-standing insurgency over resource distribution amid significant Chinese investment in local infrastructure.