Authorities in Balochistan’s coastal district of Gwadar have imposed a ban on night-time fishing in designated areas, citing what they described as the prevailing “security situation”, while local fishermen said the move would further affect their livelihoods.
According to directives issued to the fisheries department, fishing activities are prohibited at night within the Gwadar Red Zone, the port area, areas surrounding the Pakistan Coast Guards camp and within a one nautical mile radius along the coastline. Officials said fishermen would not be permitted to operate in these zones during night hours under any circumstances.
Fishermen have also been instructed to carry valid and renewed licences, national identity cards and other required documentation while at sea and to comply with instructions issued by security personnel. Authorities warned that violations would result in legal action under applicable laws, according to The Balochistan Post. Local fishermen rejected the decision, saying repeated restrictions linked to security measures had already affected their income.
“We are already struggling due to earlier restrictions. This ban will further worsen our financial conditions”, one fisherman said, urging authorities to act against illegal trawling, which he described as a major threat to local livelihoods. Security measures have been intensified across Gwadar and surrounding areas following reports of a possible threat, with police and military personnel increasing checks and setting up blockades at multiple points, local sources said.
Sources said key installations, including Gwadar Port and government offices, were being closely monitored amid concerns of potential attacks, although officials have not issued a formal notification regarding the threat. Meanwhile, residents said several young men had been taken into custody during ongoing operations in the area, with their whereabouts remaining unknown. Pakistani authorities did not immediately comment on the reported detentions.
The development comes days after the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) announced the formation of its naval wing, the Hammal Maritime Defence Force (HMDF), following a reported attack near the Gwadar coast in which three coast guard personnel were killed. Pakistani military forces and what local sources described as “death squads” were targeted in two separate attacks in the Basima area of Balochistan on Friday, where clashes reportedly continued for several hours.
According to sources, armed fighters ambushed a Pakistan-backed armed group in the Jur area of Basima when they were allegedly attempting to advance in the area. Meanwhile, another armed group led by Samad Sumalani came under attack in the Mamai area. Sources said Pakistani forces later attempted to advance into the area to reinforce members of the armed groups, after which clashes intensified and continued for nearly four hours.
It was confirmed that seven people, including Anwar Sumalani, were injured in the attacks. No deaths were immediately confirmed. In a separate incident, unidentified armed men blocked traffic on April 17, Friday at the Shtangi area of the Coastal Highway near Pasni. Eyewitnesses said the armed men stopped several vehicles during the blockade, including trucks carrying gas and partially damaged some of them. No immediate reports of casualties were received. Sources said the armed men remained at the site for some time before leaving the area.
