A third body recovered after an alleged fake encounter in Balochistan’s Duki district has been identified as that of a man previously reported missing, according to his family.
On 19 April, Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) claimed five suspected militants were killed in a shootout in Duki. The CTD alleged that the men had links to Baloch “pro-independence” armed groups and said weapons were recovered from the scene.
However, families have since identified three of the deceased as individuals who had previously been detained by Pakistani security forces.
The latest victim to be identified is Abdul Nabi Marri. His family said he was forcibly disappeared two months ago, along with his father and brother. They said all three had remained in custody since their detention. While Abdul Nabi’s body has now been recovered, the whereabouts of his father and brother remain unknown.
Two other victims previously identified
Earlier, two other victims from the same operation were identified as Muhammad Deen Marri and Ejaz, son of Khuda Bakhsh.
According to relatives, Muhammad Deen Marri was forcibly disappeared from Balochistan’s Harnai district in December 2024. His case was highlighted by human rights groups and social media users on 19 January 2025.
Ejaz, a resident of Manguchar in Kalat district, was reportedly detained on 12 April 2025 along with Zaid, son of Abid Khan, a resident of Sariab, Quetta. Both were reported missing shortly after. On 16 April, Ejaz’s family confirmed his enforced disappearance to the media. His body was later identified among those killed in the Duki operation.
Rights groups condemn ‘fake encounters’
Human rights organisations have condemned the incident, describing it as part of a longstanding pattern of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan.
Activists argue that many “fake encounters” involve victims who had already been in state custody and are later portrayed as militants killed in armed clashes.
They have called for independent investigations into such incidents, warning of systemic human rights violations and a lack of accountability.
The identities of the two remaining individuals killed in the Duki operation have not yet been confirmed. However, rights groups say there are growing concerns they too may be victims of enforced disappearance.