QUETTA: An anti-terrorism court in Quetta on Thursday extended the remand of several leaders of the Baloch Yakjehti Council (BYC).
According to details, police produced the detained leaders—including BYC chief Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Bebo Baloch, Gulzadi, Mama Ghafar Baloch, Sibghatullah Shah Ji, and Beberg Baloch—before the court. The prosecution sought additional time for interrogation, which the court granted, handing over the BYC leaders to police on a 15-day remand.
Dr. Mahrang Baloch was arrested in late March during a sit-in protest, along with other activists, following an attack and hijacking of a passenger train in Bolan by the India-backed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The protestors had demanded the handover of the bodies of militants killed during a retaliatory security operation. BYC activists also attempted to storm the mortuary of Civil Hospital Quetta to seize the bodies recovered by police during shifting.
Police have registered a case against Dr. Mahrang Baloch and other BYC leaders over the killing of three people during firing at a protest. The case, lodged at Saryab Police Station in Quetta, includes charges of murder, attempted murder, terrorism, and incitement under 16 different sections.
Officials said two additional cases had already been registered against the BYC. One case, filed at Civil Lines Police Station, accuses BYC activists of storming the Civil Hospital Quetta mortuary, seizing the bodies of BLA militants killed in the Jaffer Express attack, and assaulting an ambulance driver at Hockey Chowk. Another case, registered at Brewery Road Police Station, accuses BYC leaders and workers of blocking the Western Bypass during protests.
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The court granted the extension in police custody to allow further investigation into the charges.
