Pakistani security forces have allegedly detained three men from the Turbat city of Balochistan, who have since gone missing. The individuals have been identified as Imran, son of Taj Muhammad; Nawaz; and Wafa, son of Manzoor. According to local reports, the detentions took place last week.
Imran and Nawaz were reportedly apprehended from the Kolwah Bazaar in Turbat, while Wafa, a resident of the Balgtar Gudgi region, was taken into custody from Askani Bazaar in Turbat.
This incident comes amidst a noticeable increase in enforced disappearances across Balochistan in recent weeks. In the past week alone, more than 20 individuals have allegedly been detained by security forces, with no information about their whereabouts provided to their families.
Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ) has also raised alarm over enforced disappearances.
The human rights group, Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ), has raised concerns over what it describes as a “surge” in enforced disappearances in Balochistan. The group stated that at least 18 Baloch individuals have been disappeared over the past week, in areas including Turbat, Karachi, Hub, and Panjgur.
It’s pertinent to mention that Balochistan has been the site of a long-standing insurgency, with Baloch groups demanding greater autonomy or independence. The region has witnessed cycles of violence between Baloch armed groups and Pakistani law-enforcement forces over the past two decades. As a result, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and human rights violations have become pressing concerns in the region.
Human rights organizations, both local and international, have repeatedly raised alarms over the growing number of missing persons in Balochistan. Families of the disappeared often accuse State forces of abducting their loved ones without due process. Pakistani authorities, on the other hand, have attributed these disappearances to ongoing anti-insurgency operations aimed at curbing militancy in the region.
Despite promises by successive governments to address these issues, no progress has been made. The unresolved cases of missing persons continue to fuel grievances among the Baloch population, with protests often being held by affected families in Quetta, Islamabad, Karachi and other cities.