13/12/2024
Cold Blooded- Islamabad Massacre:
Timeline recreated on evidence and testimonies of eyewitnesses.
1.November 24th: Over 100,000 unarmed civilians began marching toward Islamabad from across Pakistan, protesting for justice and reform.
2.November 25th-26th: Army and security forces blocked all major roads leading to Islamabad using shipping containers, attempting to halt the march.
3.November 26th (13:00): Thousands of protesters reached D-Chowk in Islamabad. Initially, Army personnel interacted peacefully with them, shaking hands, hugging protesters, and assuring them no force would be used.
4.November 26th (16:00–17:00): Snipers were deployed in the area, and security forces—including Rangers, Frontier Corps (FC), Islamabad Capital Territory Police, and Army Unit 111—initiated a violent crackdown. Tear gas was used extensively, and snipers began targeting prominent activists, particularly members of the Insaf Youth Wing (IYW) and Insaf Student Federation (ISF).
5.Post-Sunset, November 26th: Electricity in the area was cut off, plunging it into darkness. Chaos ensued as tear gas was used indiscriminately. Activists were systematically targeted by snipers, heightening the unrest.
6.November 26th (Midnight): The military opened fire on unarmed civilians. Under orders from senior officials, including Major General and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Asim Khanzir, soldiers carried out what is now termed the “Islamabad Massacre.”
7.Hospital Deployments: Soldiers were stationed at hospitals to control access. Many injured individuals and those seeking medical help or information about missing persons were arrested.
8.Unaccounted Bodies: By the following day, many injured and dead were unaccounted for. Bloodstains and signs of violence remained, but no bodies were found, leading to rumors of their disposal in containers, rooftops, or cold storage facilities.
9.Burning of Vehicles: Security forces burned cars, vans, and buses belonging to the protesters.
10.November 27th (Early Morning): The Capital Development Authority (CDA) sent water trucks to wash away evidence. By 10:00 AM, most visible bloodstains had been erased.
11.November 27th–28th: The area was eerily silent except for vultures circling above D-Chowk, indicating the scale of casualties.
12.Targeting Journalists: Journalists attempting to report the actual number of deaths—such as Shakir and Matiullah Jan—were abducted by Rangers and FC personnel.
13.Body Disposal: By November 29th, rumors about the disposal of bodies circulated. These included theories of bodies being stored in containers, on hospital rooftops, or in cold storage, later disposed of in methods resembling those used after the Lal Masjid operation.
14.Propaganda and Distrust: The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) launched a propaganda campaign to divert attention. This included misinformation from alleged infiltrators within the protesting party and manipulation of mainstream and social media narratives to discredit protesters’ claims.
15.International Silence: The lack of response from international media and governments suggests possible complicity or approval of the operation by foreign actors.
16.Future Prospects: The Islamabad Massacre represents a critical turning point. It underscores the growing polarization and unresolved tensions within Pakistan. While hope for change under future leadership remains faint, history suggests the emergence of resistance movements in the face of such atrocities.
Final Thoughts
The events of November 26th will leave an indelible mark on Pakistan’s history. The lives lost, the suppression of dissent, and the absence of justice reveal the systemic rot. Let those who orchestrated, supported, or ignored these crimes against humanity face eternal condemnation.
