The Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) sit-in stretched into its 10th day on Sunday, with party chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal sounding the alarm over an “imminent major operation” by security forces encircling protesters at Lakpass, Mastung
. The standoff escalated as BNP-M gears up to march on Quetta, demanding the release of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch, detained amid a police crackdown. Sammi Deen Baloch was freed Tuesday, but Mengal insists the fight continues.
We are currently stationed at Lakpass, completely encircled by security forces. A major operation against us is imminent. I call upon all districts to immediately shut down all national highways in protest. Let the world witness this injustice. We remain peaceful, but resolute.…
— Akhtar Mengal (@sakhtarmengal) April 6, 2025Last Friday, BNP-M launched its “long march” from Wadh to Quetta to protest BYC arrests, setting a Saturday midnight deadline for government action. With talks stalled, two rounds failed due to powerless delegations, Mengal says, and the party plans to advance from Lakpass today. At 5:06 AM on X, Mengal posted: “We’re surrounded at Lakpass. A major operation looms. I urge all districts to block highways and let the world see this injustice.” BNP-M followed up, decrying “open aggression” and calling for immediate road closures.
بلوچستان نیشنل پارٹی کو لکپاس کی صورتحال پر شدید تشویش ہے۔ یہ تصدیق شدہ اطلاع ہے کہ سیکیورٹی فورسز نے @sakhtarmengal اور دھرنے میں موجود افراد کو مکمل طور پر گھیر لیا ہے۔ یہ ایک کھلی جارحیت ہے جسے کسی صورت برداشت نہیں کیا جائے گا۔ بلوچستان نیشنل پارٹی اعلان کرتی ہے کہ تمام قومی…
— Balochistan National Party (@MediaCellBNP_) April 6, 2025The Balochistan government’s digging in containers blocks roads around Lakpass, and the internet is down in Quetta, Mastung, Kalat, and Khuzdar.
Read: BNP-M Sit-In Hits Day 7 with Three Demands
Spokesperson Shahid Rind offered Shahwani Stadium on Sariab Road as a sit-in spot Saturday, warning against Red Zone breaches under Section 144. “We won’t tolerate violations,” Rind said, citing legal action against BYC’s Dr. Sabiha Baloch for “anti-state” remarks and flagging Mengal’s recent speech for a formal rebuttal. With forces tightening the noose, this clash could redefine Balochistan’s protest landscape.
