According to reports, five individuals have been forcibly disappeared from Awaran and Barkhan districts of Balochistan, alleged by Pakistani forces, while three individuals have been released in Pasni and Turbat.
According to local sources, two residents of Kandhari, a locality in Mashkay Tehsil of Awaran, were taken by security forces. Karim Jan, son of Azeem, was reportedly summoned to Lakhi checkpoint on Saturday evening, where he was subsequently disappeared. Meanwhile, Noorullah, son of Alam Khan, was taken from his home during a late-night raid and has since gone missing. Their families have appealed to political and social organisations and activists on social media to raise their voices for their safe recovery.
Meanwhile, three previously missing individuals from Pasni—Waheed Majeed, the publication secretary of Balochistan National Party (BNP), along with his brothers Hafeez Majeed and Nadeem Majeed—have returned home. Their families had previously staged a protest by blocking the Makran to Karachi highway, demanding their release.
In a related development, Dr Zareen, who was abducted on Saturday evening from his clinic in Dhank, Kech, by unidentified armed men, has safely returned home.
Surge in Enforced Disappearances in Barkhan
Furthermore, in Barkhan’s Rarhkan area, Bijjar Khan Hassani and his two nephews, Syed Khan Hassani and Jafar Khan Hassani, were reportedly forcibly disappeared a few days ago and remain missing.
It’s noteworthy that in the past week alone, eight individuals have been abducted from Barkhan.
Incidents of enforced disappearances continue to be reported daily across Balochistan, while targeted killings in Kech have also been on the rise. Social and political circles allege that state-backed armed groups, commonly referred to as ‘death squads,’ are responsible for targeting and eliminating individuals, including those who were previously forcibly disappeared and later released, as well as political activists.
Protests Against Enforced Disappearances and Targeted Killings in Nushki, Chagai and Tump
In response to the increasing number of enforced disappearances and targeted killings, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has announced protests across Balochistan.
On Sunday, demonstrations took place in Chagai, Nushki, and Tump at BYC’s call, with large public participation. In Tump’s Gomazi area, a significant protest rally was organised against the killings of Kareem Bakhsh Manzoor and Meraj, son of Abdul Khaliq. The rally saw the participation of women, children, and elderly individuals, who marched through various streets and roads, chanting slogans and demanding the immediate arrest of the perpetrators.
The protesters gathered in front of Gomazi Hospital, condemning the growing frequency of such incidents, which have instilled fear and insecurity among the public. They criticised the government and authorities for their inaction and silence over these crimes.
Addressing the rally, speakers expressed concern over the alarming rise in targeted killings and violence in Gomazi and across Balochistan. They warned that if the perpetrators were not swiftly apprehended, the protests would intensify. The demonstrators urged the government to ensure justice and implement effective measures to restore law and order in the region.
Similarly, large numbers of people took to the streets in Nushki and Chagai in response to BYC’s call, protesting against what they termed as ‘Baloch genocide.’ They accused the state of systematically targeting the Baloch population through its armed groups and warned that the community must unite against such oppression.
Families of Missing Youth Stage Sit-In, Block M8 Highway in Turbat
Meanwhile, on Sunday in Turbat’s Bahman area, the families of four forcibly disappeared youths—Rahil Ali Muhammad, Roshan Ali Muhammad, Naeem Bashir, and Adam Baloch—staged a sit-in protest at Jadgal Dann (D-Baloch Point) blocking the M8 highway.
According to the families, the four youths were abducted in the dead of night from their homes, and no information has been provided regarding their whereabouts. Despite previous meetings with district authorities and peaceful protests, the missing individuals have not been released.
The protestors declared that they would not vacate the M8 highway until their loved ones were safely recovered. They further warned that if their demands were not met, they would call for a complete shutdown of the city, bringing all commercial and public activities to a halt.
Protest Rally and Gathering Organised by BYC, in Zehri
on Monday, a protest rally and gathering are ongoing in Zehri in response to the call by BYC. Women and children are also actively participating in the demonstration.
As per reports, during the protest, mobile phone services in Zehri have been shut down, while ‘state-backed armed groups, or death squads’ have blocked the main highway.
The ongoing wave of enforced disappearances and targeted killings has heightened tensions across Balochistan, with civil rights activists and political groups continuing to demand justice and accountability from the authorities.