India describes Bugti's killing as unfortunate

New Delhi, Aug 28: India today described the killing of Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti by Pakistani troops as unfortunate and stressed the need for peaceful dialogue to address the grievances and aspirations of the people of Baluchistan.

Asserting that military force could never solve political problems, a spokesman of the External Affairs Ministry said in response to a question that the killing of the Baloch leader was a loss to the people of Baluchistan and Pakistan.

''The unfortunate killing of the veteran Baloch leader, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, is a tragic loss to the people of Baluchistan and Pakistan. This military attack in which two of his grandsons were also killed and the heavy casualties in the continuing military operations in Baluchistan underline the need for peaceful dialogue to address the grievances and aspirations of people of Baluchistan.

Military force can never solve political problems,'' the spokesman said.

He said Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti played a prominent role in Pakistani politics for more than four decades.

''His death leaves a vacuum that will be difficult to fill,'' the spokesman added.

Nawab Bugti, the 80-year old Baloch Nationalist leader, along with his 40 followers including his two grandsons, was killed in a massive Pakistani military operation in the hilly Kohlu district of Baluchistan on Saturday.

Nawab Bugti, a former Governor and Chief Minister of Baluchistan, was the leader of the Balochistan Nationalist Movement which is opposed to Islamabad.

UNI

Related Stories