On July 11, 2025, unannounced missile strikes by the Pakistan Navy in the mountainous regions of Kolwah and Awaran, Balochistan, caused fear and anxiety among local communities. According to testimonies collected by Paank and video evidence that surfaced on August 17, 2025, multiple missiles were launched from the Jinnah Naval Base in Ormara, directed toward the rugged mountain ranges of central Balochistan.
What happened on July 11,2025 ?
At approximately 11:00 AM, residents of Kolwah and Awaran reported hearing a loud explosion coming from the direction of the mountains. Due to the lack of reliable communication networks in Balochistan, confirmation of the incident was initially delayed.
Eyewitness accounts gathered by Paank confirm that missile debris was later found scattered across the mountains, heightening fears among local residents. The lack of official acknowledgement has left communities uncertain about the purpose of the strike—whether it was aimed at specific objectives or whether it was part of undisclosed weapons testing.
Civilian Communities at Risk
The areas where the missiles struck are not uninhabited. Families rely on mountain pastures for livestock grazing, which form the backbone of the local
economy. One resident told Paank:
“Our entire life is tied to the mountains. Our livestock are the backbone of our economy. Such unannounced missile tests are a threat to our lives
and property.”
Such unannounced strikes have traumatized local populations and created uncertainty about the safety of their environment. The fallout of missile debris in areas close to human settlements and grazing lands represents a serious human rights concern.
A Pattern of Missile Tests in Balochistan
This incident reflects a broader pattern in which Balochistan has repeatedly been used as a testing ground for Pakistan’s missile program:
- In 2005, Pakistan tested its first cruise missile, the Hatf-7 Babur, in Balochistan. This missile is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear
warheads. - On May 4, 2025, Pakistan tested the Abdali missile in Balochistan, reportedly with a range of 450 km.
According to open-source information, the Pakistan Navy possesses cruise missiles, including Babur, Harbah, and Sea Eagle, in addition to anti-ship
missiles. It is widely speculated that the missiles fired on July 11 were Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LACMs), though it remains unclear whether they were new tests or operational firings of existing systems.
Human Rights Concerns
The unannounced nature of these missile strikes, carried out without warning to the civilian population, represents a serious violation of human rights. Local communities have the right to safety and security, yet their lives, livelihoods, and environment continue to be endangered by repeated military activities in these regions.
The July 11 missile strikes in Ormara, Kolwah, and Awaran illustrate a continued pattern in which civilian populations in Balochistan bear the direct impact of military testing activities. With debris falling near inhabited areas and grazing lands, communities remain under constant fear, and their survival tied to fragile mountain ecosystems is increasingly at risk.
Paank calls for urgent international scrutiny of these actions, which are contrary to human rights norms and pose a wider threat to peace and stability.