2 hrs ago
Pakistan Seeks Retired Soldiers Amid Balochistan Manpower Shortages
Pakistan has asked some former soldiers to report if they want to return to service.
The request gives October 30 as a deadline, but the article says returning is not compulsory.
Officials and observers say the army may be short of personnel.
They point to attacks and to soldiers leaving or going missing.
The Balochistan Liberation Army said its attacks in September killed 105 security personnel.
That number is the group’s claim, not an independently confirmed total in the article.
The article says former soldiers could be sent to areas where armed groups have been active.
It also reports that the communication does not set an age limit for people who may return.
An Inspector General of Frontier Corps communication called on retired personnel to report for possible re-enlistment, with an October 30 deadline.
The communication does not make returning compulsory and sets no age limit, according to the article.
Officials and observers cited casualties and desertions as reasons Pakistan may be seeking additional personnel.
The article says the Balochistan Liberation Army claimed 105 security-force deaths in 94 attacks in September; that toll is the group’s claim.
The article says returning personnel could be deployed in areas including Mastung, Nushki, Washuk and Panjgur.
- Who
- Pakistan’s Frontier Corps, Balochistan (North), addressed retired army personnel.
- What
- Retired personnel were asked to report for possible re-enlistment amid reported manpower shortages.
- Where
- Balochistan, with the article also citing security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- When
- The communication set October 30 as the deadline; the article also reports 94 attacks in September.
- Why
- Officials and observers cited casualties and desertions; an official also suggested Pakistan may be preparing to intensify operations.
Key facts
- Deadline
- October 30
- Voluntary status
- The article says the communication does not make re-enlistment compulsory.
- September attacks
- The article reports 94 attacks against security forces, attributed to separatist groups.
- Casualty claim
- The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed 105 security-force personnel were killed in those attacks.
- Reported causes of shortages
- Casualties and desertions, according to officials and observers quoted in the article.
- Possible deployment areas
- The article names Mastung, Nushki, Washuk and Panjgur, among other areas.
Quotes
A Pakistan security official
An unnamed official commenting on the recall and armed groups.
“The other reason for such communication could be that the Pakistan Army is preparing to intensify operations in these regions. Groups such as the BLA and BLF have significantly upgraded their capabilities and have also introduced women suicide units, which have already carried out successful attacks against security forces”
thehansindia.com
“Their morale is low, and they no longer want to fight, prompting them to leave the service”
thehansindia.com
Sources
Related news
BLA Claims Fresh Strikes Across Balochistan, Three Security Personnel Killed
Women Join Baloch Separatist Groups’ Armed Campaign
BLA Claims 94 Attacks Across Balochistan in September
Pakistan Army Reports 73 Militants Killed in Balochistan Operations
BLA Claims 52 Pakistani Personnel Killed Across Balochistan
BLA Attack on Pakistani Army Convoy Leaves 23 Feared Dead
Eight Frontier Corps Personnel Killed in Dera Bugti Ambush
Baloch Activist Questions Reported Civilian Deaths In Balochistan Firing
Rights Group Reports Five More Forced Disappearances in Balochistan
