Army Dog Center in Musakhel

Musakhel is a hill district in northeastern Balochistan, between Loralai and Zhob and the border with Punjab, with Musakhel Bazar and Kingri among its settlements. The land is a series of ridges, small valleys and seasonal streams, and villages are far apart.

Situations we are asked about in Musakhel

• Livestock taken from a hill pasture overnight.
• Vehicles or equipment taken from a road or track between settlements.
• A person missing on foot between two villages.
• A shop or house entered while the owner was at the pasture.

Streams that run for a few weeks and then dry up leave wide stony beds where people and vehicles move easily, and where nothing keeps a mark. Scent is a better guide than footprints. Because help has to travel a long way, the most helpful thing a caller can do is give a clear location, the direction last seen, and the exact time.

Keep the place closed off and put worn clothing in a clean bag. Report serious crimes to the police on 15, then call Army Dog Center on 0300-5780720, which is answered at all hours. We will tell you plainly what can be arranged.

Many calls from Musakhel come from herders and families in small settlements. If livestock are missing, tell us how many, what kind, and when they were last counted. Note the direction of any tracks, but do not follow them far on foot, because repeated walking spreads scent over a wide area.

Please also tell us who in your settlement knows the local paths well, as we may ask them to guide others away from the area, and keep your phone charged.