In Turbat, the main city of Kech district in Balochistan, a spokesperson for Turbat Civil Society strongly condemned the killing of four local young men in a drone strike at the Latham picnic spot in the mountainous Balicha area and the arrest of two of their companions, calling it a violation of human rights and international law. The spokesperson demanded an impartial, clean and transparent investigation of the incident by a high-level inquiry committee.
The spokesperson said that according to the unanimous account of local sources and the victims’ families, before going to the picnic spot the young men had, as is customary, not only informed the security officials there of their trip but also provided details of all the supplies and tools they were taking with them.
According to the spokesperson, the young men who were later arrested and released also said they had regularly informed security officials of their location wherever a mobile network was available.
He said the young men were allegedly targeted in a drone strike during the picnic without any reason or cause, killing on the spot four young men who were sitting together preparing food, while two others miraculously survived because they were some distance away getting ready for prayer. The two were later arrested, held for two days and then released.
The spokesperson alleged that the available evidence, the views of local people and the statements of the two survivors apparently show that the four young men were targeted in an unjustified drone strike during the picnic. He said the two survivors were then also arrested, held without justification for two days and then released.
He further alleged that after the young men were killed and arrested, weapons and ammunition were placed near their bodies in an attempt to prove them terrorists, which is deeply regrettable and an illegal attempt to hide the real truth of the incident.
The spokesperson demanded a full, impartial, clean and transparent investigation of the incident, and that if any person or institution is found to have broken the law, action be taken against those responsible in accordance with the constitution and law, so that the lives and property of ordinary citizens are protected and the negative effect of any possible mistake or illegal act does not damage public trust in state institutions.
