Why Are Four More Baloch Civilians Forcibly Disappeared in Balochistan?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Four Baloch civilians were forcibly disappeared in Dera Bugti.
- The incidents reflect a disturbing trend of enforced disappearances.
- Human rights organizations are calling for international intervention.
- Families of the victims are deeply concerned for their safety.
- These actions violate fundamental human rights and international humanitarian law.
Quetta, Oct 27 (NationPress) In a troubling development, four more Baloch civilians were forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces in the Dera Bugti district of Balochistan, amidst an alarming rise in enforced disappearances, as reported by a prominent human rights organization on Monday.
This latest incident emerges from a persistent cycle of oppression characterized by an increase in enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and torture throughout the province.
According to verified local sources, Paank, the Human Rights Department of the Baloch National Movement, indicated that on October 25, Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) carried out violent raids in the Derahan Colony of Dera Bugti, leading to the abduction of two young men: Imam Dad and Jan Mohammad.
In a different operation within the Sui Bazaar area of the same district, two additional individuals — Qambar and Malhar — were also taken by the same forces.
“All four victims remain unaccounted for, leaving their families in distress over their safety and potential torture or extrajudicial execution while in custody,” stated Paank.
The human rights organization emphasized that these actions form part of a systematic campaign of enforced disappearances and collective punishment directed at the Baloch populace by Pakistani security agencies.
It condemned the misuse of the CTD as a means of political repression, rather than its intended purpose of counterterrorism, which continues to infringe upon fundamental human rights and international humanitarian standards.
Recently, another rights group, Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ), highlighted the ongoing atrocities in Balochistan, reporting that five more Baloch civilians were forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces in Dera Bugti during a worsening human rights crisis.
Condemning these actions, the BVJ declared that the recent raids were executed by the infamous personnel of the CTD, alongside officials from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), in the Sui region of Dera Bugti. They reported that during these operations, homes were ransacked, families faced torture, and five individuals went missing.
The victims were named as Akram, Ahsan, Ibrahim, Mandha Bugti, and his nephew Noor Din.
“These occurrences signify a troubling trend of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, amounting to severe violations of human rights and international human rights norms,” the BVJ remarked.
The BVJ urged global human rights organizations, including the United Nations, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, to take notice of these events and pressurize Pakistani authorities to ensure the return of the missing individuals and the provision of justice.