News Analysis |
In the aftermath of the Pulwama attack, a series of propagandist and false news reports have emerged from Indian media. More recently, the Balochistan Post issued a fabricated report on a suicide attack on a Pakistan Army convoy near the CPEC Link Road in Sangbad.
This false news was circulated by multiple platforms of Indian media, including News18, Outlook India, News Nation and The Quint amongst other Indian news networks. This alleged attack apparently took place on the 17th February, and it killed “at least nine security personnel” while “11 were injured”.
This is the second attack on the FC personnel serving in Balochistan during the past 24 hours. On 16th February, an attack in Loralai town left two FC soldiers martyred.
The report further claims that the attack, which allegedly occurred between Panjgur and Turbat, has been claimed by the spokesperson of Baloch Raji Ajoi Sangar (BRAS), Baloch Khan. Moreover, BRAS has apparently come forward to reveal that it has attacked and killed 6 army personnel along with injuring several soldiers and confiscating the weapons that were being carried by the convoy.
Since Sunday, this news has been circulating on Indian media with various different versions that claim the attack took place in “Quetta” while others cry out that the alleged attack occurred on the “CPEC route” in Balochistan.
Read more: Will Baluchistan get its rights in Naya Pakistan?
Analysts believe that the news has been distorted with underlying motives to stir rumors of terror and malign the CPEC route and its key landmarks with suspicions of terrorism.
Actual Attack on FC Personnel
As reported by Dawn News, FC Baluchistan spokesperson Khan Wasay confirmed the accident and announced the martyrdom of four FC personnel. The attack took place in the Panjgur district of Makran division on 17th February, and sources reveal that the FC personnel were fired upon by “unidentified armed” men as they were changing the shifts at the check-posts situated in the outlying mountainous region of Panjgur.
FC Balochistan spokesman confirmed that four security personnel were martyred after sustaining several bullet wounds, and after the bodies were shifted to the hospital, a comprehensive search operation was launched in the area. The martyred FC personnel include Sepoy Nasibullah, Lance Naik Abdul Rehman, Sepoy Noman, and Haq Nawaz.
It is a part of the broad strategy that deals with psychological warfare by attempting to promote dissident elements and trying to threaten Pakistan with all sorts of military actions”, concluded (R) General Talat Masood.
This is the second attack on the FC personnel serving in Balochistan during the past 24 hours. On 16th February, an attack in Loralai town left two FC soldiers martyred.
Gross Distortion of News
Global Village Space reached out to (R) General Talat Masood, senior military strategist, for a comment on why such news is being fabricated and circulated on Indian media platforms. “This is a gross distortion of news and they (India) want to prove that conditions in Balochistan are stressful and the Baloch people are being persecuted and retaliating against the army”, comment General Masood.
The military analyst further went on to say, “This has always been a major theme that India has always sensationalized to counter our stance on the Kashmiri right to self-determination. India always responds by pointing out problems in Balochistan and citing incidents of uprisings, along with providing sanctuary to several dissident elements in Balochistan.”
Read more: 3 FC troops martyred in cross border attack from Afghanistan
“This is just false propaganda and evidence of India’s subversive activities. It is a part of the broad strategy that deals with psychological warfare by attempting to promote dissident elements and trying to threaten Pakistan with all sorts of military actions”, concluded (R) General Talat Masood.
While commenting on this false news published by Balochistan Post and circulated by Indian media, Zaid Hamid told GVS that the news is entirely “fake” and baseless. “From fake surgical strikes to fake news, they (India) have downgraded themselves now”, noted Zaid Hamid.
Senior defense analyst Zaid Hamid also said that this propaganda has emerged in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack, and Indian interference in Balochistan is going to intensify. “It’s going to be more than meddling now. They may attack after MBS visit is over. They (Modi-led government) plan a limited war but no one knows how it will escalate”.
Read more: Militants target and kill four FC officers in Quetta
Earlier, Indian media had come under fire from Pakistani critics and politicians for blaming dead Abdul Ghazi for masterminding the Pulwama attack, completely oblivious to the fact that the accused lies in a graveyard in district Rajanpur since 2007.
Mina Jahangir with additional input by News Desk.