Baloch American Congress Urges Trump to Probe Alleged Pakistan Airstrikes

Baloch American Congress President Tara Chand appealed to Trump for urgent attention to the alleged attacks. In a letter to the US President, Chand respectfully urged the administration to investigate the serious allegations and determine whether any US-made aircraft, weapons, drones, technology, components or other military equipment were used in the alleged operation.

On behalf of the Baloch community, Chand also asked the US administration to investigate the alleged airstrikes in Surab and the reported civilian deaths. The appeal includes determining whether US-made military equipment or technology was used in the attacks and conducting an appropriate review of the end-use and compliance of relevant US defence equipment supplied to Pakistan.

Chand further asked US officials to initiate an impartial investigation through an appropriate agency if the conditions governing the transfer of US weapons were violated and to establish accountability. He also called for a review of relevant US military assistance or transfers if credible evidence establishes that such equipment was misused against Baloch civilians.

“President, the life of a Baloch child is as precious as the life of any child anywhere in the world. We are not asking the United States to prejudge the evidence. We are asking your administration to establish the truth, protect civilians and ensure accountability. We are prepared to provide available documentation on this important matter and meet with relevant US officials,” the letter stated.

The incident reportedly took place on the morning of August 12, when the Pakistan Air Force allegedly carried out indiscriminate bombing in residential areas of the Gidar area of Surab. Civilians were reportedly killed and properties suffered extensive damage.

Last week, several Baloch activists and human rights organisations strongly rejected a statement issued by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the official media and public relations wing of the Pakistani armed forces, following the alleged airstrikes in Surab. They described the statement as false and fabricated.

The criticism came after the Director General of ISPR sought to downplay the Surab attack, describing it as the result of the premature detonation of a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) linked to a terrorist group.

Strongly criticising the official Pakistani account, Baloch human rights activist Mir Yar Baloch said in an X post that the DG ISPR, who serves as the official spokesperson of the Pakistani military, has long faced strong criticism over what he described as misleading and fabricated statements and the official position concerning controversial military operations.

He further alleged that the Surab massacre was a deliberate act of collective punishment. According to him, local residents of Surab witnessed the Pakistan Air Force deliberately targeting civilians under the cover of darkness, severely affecting the entire village and leaving residents to face the devastating consequences.

The appeal by the Baloch American Congress places the reported Surab airstrikes under scrutiny in the United States, with particular focus on whether US-origin defence equipment or technology was involved and whether the terms governing its transfer and end use were followed.