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HRCP fact-finding missions’ report 23
Part-2
Visit to Sui and Dera Bugti
Settlement by force!
After reports began to come in of renewed fighting in Dera Bugti, HRCP decided to visit the area,
firstly to determine the nature of events on March 17 ,h , 2005 and to investigate why a new conflict had broken
out and escalated in December. HRCP also wished to assess loss of human life, if any, the threat to civilian
populations, the displacement of people and verify reports of other human rights violations.
HRCP heard credible accounts of bombardment, heavy shelling and a siege laid around the town of
Dera Bugti by the FC. It also received evidence of disappearances, deaths due to indiscriminate and excessive
use of force by the security forces and other serious violations of human rights.
On route
On 8 th January, 2006, two teams of the HRCP left for Dera Bugti and Sui. The authorities were
intimated of the mission and a press release was also issued in this regard. Mr. Zahoor Ahmed Shivani and Mr.
Zainuddin accompanied by some journalists left Quetta for Dera Bugti. Ms. Asma Jahangir and Mr. Afrasayab
Khattak flew to Muitan, with the intention of driving to Sui and Dera Bugti via Kashmore. They too, were
accompanied by some journalists.
The Quetta team was stopped at checkpoint Sangsila, manned by Bambore Rifle Wing 64. The officer
in charge was Major Naveed. The team was told it could not proceed further along the metalled road, as the
‘furraris’ were firing and there were landmines along the way. At that time the team was only 45 or 50 kilometres
away from Dera Bugti. While at the check-post, team members saw several pick-ups and trucks carrying
hundreds of people who were fleeing Dera Bugti, and seemed to be plying along the same road without
difficulty. Major Naveed confirmed people had been leaving Dera Bugti for the last three weeks or so.
Mr Zahoor Shawani, who was leading the team from Quetta, was then put in contact with Colonel
Furqan at Dera Bugti. He denied the team access. The personnel at the checkpoint suggested to the team hat
they could take another route, along an unmettaled road, by which it would take them five and a half hours to
reach Dera Bugti. They were warned this was a hazardous undertaking. Subsequently with the help of two
local Bugti tribesmen, the team took the alternative route. They were warned to switch off the headlights of
their vehicles, as the FC often fired on the road. If the FC was sincerely concerned for the security of the team,
they would not have suggested taking a worse risk.
Along this very tortuous route, the team saw tractor trolleys, pick-ups and various forms of transport,