Balochistan civilian killing: BYC claims Noshad Ahmed shot dead by death squad in Panjgur
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A 28-year-old Baloch civilian, identified as Noshad Ahmed, was allegedly killed by a Pakistan-backed death squad on 1 June on Chedagi Road in the Tasp area of Panjgur district, Balochistan, according to the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC). The human rights body made the claim on Thursday, 11 June, describing the killing as an extrajudicial execution carried out in broad daylight on a public road.
What the BYC Alleged
According to the BYC, armed members of a death squad opened fire on the vehicle carrying Noshad Ahmed, killing him on the spot. The organisation stated that the attack was carried out openly, intensifying fear among residents of the Panjgur region.
'The attack, carried out openly on a public road, has intensified fear and concern among local residents. Such incidents continue to have a profound impact on affected families and communities, who are left struggling with loss and seeking justice for their loved ones,' the BYC stated.
The committee condemned the killing as 'yet another example of the ongoing violence and human rights abuses in Balochistan, where civilians continue to lose their lives with no accountability.' It called on international human rights organisations to take serious notice of what it described as a dire and deteriorating situation in the province.
Pattern of Enforced Disappearances in Panjgur
In a separate but related development on the same day, another rights body — the Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ) — raised alarm over a continued pattern of enforced disappearances attributed to Pakistani forces in Panjgur. The BVJ stated that a man identified only as Najam was forcibly disappeared from the Washbood region of Panjgur on 22 May.
In two additional incidents, individuals identified as Ishaq and Shahnawaz were also reportedly subjected to enforced disappearance from Panjgur. The BVJ did not specify the dates of those incidents. 'These incidents reflect the ongoing human rights crisis faced by the people of Balochistan,' the BVJ said, adding that affected families have been left 'waiting without answers, justice, or accountability.'
Broader Context: Balochistan's Deepening Rights Crisis
The allegations come amid a well-documented and long-running pattern of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Balochistan, Pakistan's largest but least populous province. Rights groups and United Nations bodies have repeatedly flagged the situation, though Pakistani authorities have generally denied systematic abuses.
This is not an isolated incident — the BYC and other Baloch civil society organisations have reported dozens of similar cases in recent months, arguing that the killings follow a deliberate pattern rather than representing isolated security operations. The Pakistani government has not publicly responded to the specific allegations regarding Noshad Ahmed.
Calls for Accountability
'Justice must be ensured for Noshad Ahmed, and those responsible for his killing must be brought to justice. The repetition of such killings reflects a disturbing pattern of violence in Balochistan, where families are repeatedly left seeking answers, justice, and accountability for their loved ones,' the BYC noted.
The BVJ echoed similar demands, urging Pakistani authorities and the international community to intervene. As of the time of reporting, no arrests had been made in connection with the killing of Noshad Ahmed, and no official Pakistani government statement had addressed the BYC's allegations.