From Our Correspondent:
KHUZDAR: Tension and panic prevailed in the Wadh tehsil of the Khuzdar district of Balochistan as two armed groups have taken a position against each other. Both sides have used heavy weapons against each other in Wadh and surrounding villages, an official of the district administration said. He requested anonymity since he was not authorized to speak to the media. There were no confirmed reports of casualties as a result of armed clashes in the area.
CM Bizenjo urges both sides to exercise restraint
Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Quddus Bizenjo has taken notice of the prevailing situation and urged both groups to practice patience and avoid the conflict. “The CM has been monitoring the situation and directed the administration to ensure peace”, Mr. Quddus Bizenjo said in a statement issued on Thursday evening.
Emergency declared in Khuzdar district
An emergency had also been declared in Wadh of Khuzdar district to tackle any crisis in the area. Health officials said two injured children were brought to the Wadh hospital for medical treatment.
Both sides accused each other of using heavy weapons and unprovoked firing. The political parties and the government urged both groups to exercise patience and avoid firing.
Nawab Raisani active to defuse the tension
The tense situation in the Wadh prompted the former CM of Balochistan, Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani to play a mediatory role bring an end to the conflict and tense situation in the area.
“I urge both sides to end the conflict and allow us to reach Wadh to find an amicable solution to the issue”, Nawab Aslam Raisani said in a statement. He said he has spoken to the Balochistan National Party (BNP) Chief Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal and Mir Shafiq Mengal in this regard.
Huge deployment of Forces to maintain order
The tense situation and use of heavy weapons also caused the suspension of traffic between Quetta and Karachi. The passengers especially women and children remained the worst sufferers in the scorching heat because of the prevailing tense situation.
Home Minister Balochistan, Mir Ziaullah Langove also urged both sides to exercise restraint and avoid using weapons against each other. He said huge deployments were made in the area to make sure peace in the restive town.
