Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Baloch Yakjehti Committee Backs Protests Over Alleged Balochistan Airstrikes
In a place called Balochistan, many people are very upset right now.
They say Pakistani military planes dropped bombs on two areas called Sorab and Gwadar.
They believe women, children, and older people were hurt in those attacks.
Two groups, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee and the Balochistan National Party, are asking everyone to join big protests about it.
The groups say these attacks are unfair and that staying quiet would mean accepting them.
Phone and internet services were also cut off in parts of the area, which made it hard for people to get help.
The Pakistani military has not officially said that civilians were hurt.
Instead, security sources say some deaths may have happened when explosives went off by accident while militants were handling them.
They also say the reports still cannot be confirmed, and many people are asking independent experts to check the facts.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) announced full support for protests organised by the Balochistan National Party (BNP) over alleged airstrikes in Sorab and Gwadar.
The BYC condemned what it called the bombing of civilian areas by Pakistani jet aircraft on the morning of August 13, describing it as 'state barbarism'.
The committee voiced support over reported deaths of Baloch women, children and elderly people, saying remaining silent would amount to accepting oppression.
Local sources and Baloch activist groups said the airstrikes occurred around August 12–13, 2026, amid a spike in violence that included coordinated attacks by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) on security posts, police stations and infrastructure.
The Pakistani military did not officially confirm civilian casualties; state security sources instead attributed some local casualties to the premature detonation of explosives handled by militants, and the allegations could not be independently verified.
- Who
- The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), the Balochistan National Party (BNP), Baloch civilians, the Pakistani military and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
- What
- Protests across Balochistan against alleged airstrikes by Pakistani jet aircraft in Sorab and Gwadar that are reported to have killed civilians.
- When
- The alleged airstrikes were reported around August 12–13, 2026; the BYC statement backing the protests was issued by August 16, 2026.
- Where
- Sorab and Gwadar districts in Balochistan, Pakistan.
- Why
- The BYC and BNP allege the airstrikes killed Baloch women, children and elderly people and describe ongoing state operations as 'state barbarism'; the reported strikes came amid a sharp spike in violence and coordinated attacks by the BLA.
Baloch groups and protest organisers
Pakistani state and security sources
Cause of civilian casualties
Baloch groups and protest organisers
The BYC and Baloch activist groups allege Pakistani jet aircraft bombed civilian areas in Sorab and Gwadar, killing women, children and elderly people.
Pakistani state and security sources
State security sources attributed some local casualties to the premature detonation of explosives being handled by militants, followed by wider counter-insurgency operations, and did not confirm civilian deaths from airstrikes.
Character of the operations
Baloch groups and protest organisers
The BYC calls the alleged attacks and ongoing repression 'state barbarism', says operations have reached a critical point, and urges international organisations to hold Pakistan accountable.
Pakistani state and security sources
The military's reported operations came amid a sharp spike in violence and coordinated separatist attacks by the BLA targeting security posts, police stations and infrastructure.
- Supporting groups
- Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and Balochistan National Party (BNP)
- Alleged airstrike locations
- Sorab and Gwadar districts, Balochistan
- Reported date of airstrikes
- August 12–13, 2026
- Reported victims
- Baloch women, children and elderly people
- Military's response
- Did not officially confirm civilian casualties
- State security account
- Some casualties attributed to premature detonation of explosives handled by militants, followed by counter-insurgency operations
- Other reported impact
- Disruption of telecommunication and internet services in affected districts
- Verification status
- Allegations could not be independently verified