Escalating Violence Against Civilians in Balochistan Raises Alarm

Human Rights Violations in Balochistan

Quetta, Feb 25: Recent reports indicate a surge in violence targeting civilians in Balochistan, with a prominent human rights organization revealing the extrajudicial killings of two individuals and the enforced disappearance of five others, allegedly perpetrated by Pakistani security forces.

The Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department, known as Paank, reported that on Tuesday morning, members of Pakistan’s Frontier Corps (FC), Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), and intelligence agencies, supported by a state-sanctioned death squad, conducted a raid in the Khudabadan area of Panjgur district.

During this operation, three brothers and their nephew were forcibly taken, and later that day, one of them was found dead due to extrajudicial actions.

The deceased were identified as Owais Ahmed, Bakhteyar, Irfan, and Bilal.

According to Paank, Owais Ahmed, the nephew, endured severe torture during the raid, resulting in significant injuries.

His mutilated body was discovered later, showing clear signs of torture, while the fate of the three brothers remains uncertain.

On the same day, another raid by Pakistani forces and a death squad led to the disappearance of 23-year-old Hassan Khalil, a student at the University of Panjgur.

Paank highlighted the ongoing atrocities against Baloch civilians, noting that the mutilated body of 26-year-old Taimoor was found in the Surab district on February 20, after he had been forcibly disappeared by the FC on February 9.

Additionally, Imdad Baloch, a resident of Turbat city in Kech district, was taken from his home during a late-night operation by the Pakistan Army and CTD on February 24. He was employed at a local bookshop.

In a related development, the Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) expressed serious concerns regarding the ongoing harassment, racial profiling, and discrimination faced by Baloch students throughout Pakistan, including at Punjab University.

The HRCB stated that Baloch students are subjected to identity-based targeting, enforced disappearances, and increased scrutiny.

On February 23, a senior student was reportedly harassed in his hostel room, filmed, and threatened by intelligence agents.

The HRCB has called for an independent investigation, accountability, and comprehensive protection of the rights and safety of Baloch students across the nation.