Awaran District, Balochistan — At least seven civilians, including women and children, were injured on Friday after mortar shells struck the main market of Awaran district in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, according to local residents and rights activists.
The shelling occurred during Friday prayers, when the marketplace was crowded with worshippers and families, witnesses said. Panic spread across the area as multiple explosions were heard, forcing people to flee for safety.
Among the injured were four children — Mah Jabeen, 12; Noreen, 5; Zayan Noor, 2; and Jannat Bibi, 4 — who were rushed to a nearby hospital. Medical staff said some of the wounded were in critical condition. Independent verification of their injuries was not immediately possible.
Baloch rights groups and local activists accused Pakistani security forces of firing the mortars and alleged that civilians were deliberately targeted. Pakistani authorities did not immediately comment on the incident, and requests for clarification from military officials went unanswered.
This was the third reported mortar attack on civilian areas in Awaran in recent months, according to local activists. In November, a child was killed in a similar incident, while in July a mortar strike on a football ground reportedly killed a young man and wounded six others.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, has long been the site of an insurgency rooted in grievances over political marginalization, resource exploitation, and alleged human rights abuses by security forces. Human rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concern over the impact of the conflict on civilians.
Friday’s incident has renewed fears among residents about their safety, particularly in public spaces. “People are afraid to gather, even for prayers,” said one local shopkeeper, who requested anonymity for security reasons.
The situation in Awaran remains tense, with residents calling for an independent investigation into the shelling and greater protection for civilians caught in the conflict.
