Sedition charges against Baloch leaders for supporting Modi's Aug 15 speech

One of the complainants alleged that the Baloch leaders had asked Modi to commit aggression against Pakistan

Pakistan police on Monday registered five cases against three separatist Baloch leaders for allegedly supporting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statements on Balochistan, said media reports.

The cases were registered against Brahamdagh Bugti, Harbiyar Marri and Banuk Karima Baloch on the complaints of petitioners Munir Ahmed, Maulana Muhammad Aslam, Muhammad Hussain, Ghulam Yaseen Jatak and Muhammad Rahim at five police stations in the province's Khuzdar area, Dawn online reported.

The Baloch leaders were booked under different sections of the Pakistan Penal Code. The sections refer to "concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment", "waging or attempting to wage war or abetting waging of war against Pakistan", "concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war", and "assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty".

Acting District Police Officer Khuzdar Muhammad Ashraf Jatak said the applicants claimed Bugti, Marri and Baloch had 'supported' Modi's August 15 remarks.

Modi in his speech on India's independence day said the people of Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir 'thanked him a lot in the past few days'.

One of the complainants, Ahmed alleged that the Baloch leaders had asked Modi to commit aggression against Pakistan.

Modi's controversial statement sparked protests across Balochistan, with large numbers of tribesmen taking to the streets in protest in Dera Bugti, Khuzdar, Quetta, Chaman and other parts of the province, Dawn said.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri, in a speech last week alleged that the Indian government "fully supports the ongoing insurgency in Balochistan".

Zehri's speech came days after a video showing exiled Baloch leader Brahamdagh Bugti appreciating "support" given to the Baloch people by Modi began circulating on social media.

He also alleged that the Indian government "is deeply involved in sponsoring elements like Brahamdagh Bugti, Harbiyar Marri, Zamran Marri and Allah Nazar".

He accused Bugti of "getting funds from Indians", alleging "that's why he supported Modi's statement".