Is the Baloch Child’s Disappearance a Reflection of State Violence?

Quetta, July 22 (NationPress) A 10-year-old child was forcibly taken by personnel of the Pakistani army after being called to a military camp at Jahoo Zeelag in Balochistan, according to a human rights organization.

The Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department has charged Pakistani security forces with serious human rights violations in Balochistan, with a particular focus on children during military operations.

Furthermore, the organization has implicated Pakistan's Frontier Corps (FC) in the tragic death of another 12-year-old child in the Kolwah district.

On July 20, the disappearance of 10-year-old Hasil Baloch has raised significant alarm regarding his well-being. Just days prior, on July 16, his cousin, Hameed Baloch, was also abducted from his home, and his body—marked by bullet wounds—was found in the same vicinity on July 21. This series of events raises severe concerns for Hasil's safety. The enforced disappearance of a minor against the backdrop of his cousin's extrajudicial killing exemplifies a disturbing trend of state violence in Balochistan.

The rights organization strongly condemned Hasil Baloch's abduction and expressed grave concern for the growing trend of child-targeting during military actions.

They emphasized that the involvement of minors in enforced disappearances constitutes a serious violation of international human rights and humanitarian law.

The Baloch National Movement demanded the immediate and safe return of Hasil Baloch.

Additionally, they condemned the extrajudicial killing of 12-year-old Qamber Aslam by Pakistani forces on July 18 in the Kolwah district. Qamber, who was working in the fields, was shot in the chest by an FC patrol.

This tragic occurrence has plunged the family into mourning and highlights a worrisome trend of violence against civilians in Balochistan. The organization voiced deep concern over this brutal act, which underscores a broader culture of impunity and disregard for human life in the region. The targeting of an unarmed child underscores the urgent necessity for accountability and justice.

The organization appealed to Pakistani authorities for an immediate, unbiased, and transparent investigation into Qamber's death, ensuring accountability for those responsible. They also urged the government to implement concrete measures to safeguard civilians, especially vulnerable children, in Balochistan.

Furthermore, they called upon the international community to denounce Pakistan's severe repression in Balochistan and to address the escalating human rights abuses in the region while supporting the Baloch people's quest for safety and dignity.