Residents in Karachi’s Baloch-majority Lyari area resisted a major operation by Pakistani Rangers late Wednesday night, forcing paramilitary personnel to withdraw after an attempted raid triggered public backlash.
According to local sources, a large number of Rangers entered the neighbourhood and attempted to raid homes and detain residents. The operation reportedly met with strong resistance from locals, including women, who confronted the forces and forced them to retreat.
As residents attempted to stage a protest against the raid, Rangers reportedly called in reinforcements and blocked the demonstration.
Locals alleged that such operations have become routine in Lyari, claiming that Pakistani forces frequently enter the area, detain young men without warrants, and later file “false cases” to justify the arrests. Several individuals have reportedly gone missing during these raids and remain incommunicado.
No official statement has been issued by authorities regarding the incident.
Turbat: Military Convoy Arrives, Roads Sealed, Civilians Reportedly Beaten
Meanwhile, in Balochistan’s Turbat city, a convoy of Pakistani security forces arrived by passenger buses and military vehicles on Thursday, prompting a lockdown of major roads and reports of civilian abuse.
According to local sources, several streets were sealed off and civilian movement was heavily restricted. Witnesses reported that residents were physically assaulted and that vehicle windows were smashed during the operation.
Turbat, the administrative centre of Kech district, has seen an increase in military deployments in recent weeks, particularly following a series of attacks on Pakistani forces in Khuzdar, Nushki, and other parts of Balochistan.