Quetta, February 26 (NationPress) - A tragic incident occurred in Balochistan where over 20 Baloch civilians, including women and children, lost their lives, and many others were injured due to direct gunfire from Pakistani security forces in the districts of Nushki and Kharan, as reported by a prominent human rights organization on Thursday.

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) identified some of the deceased, including Atta Ullah, Shahzaib Baloch, and Hassan Basri. Among the injured were Nisa Khatoon and Ameen Ullah, who suffered injuries from the alleged gunfire on February 13.

Additionally, a passenger vehicle was reportedly targeted by security forces near Cadet College in Nushki, claiming the lives of around 10 civilians. In another disturbing incident, an ambulance carrying a female patient was shot at by security personnel near the same location, resulting in six fatalities, including the driver.

Since January 31, the BYC has reported that Pakistan conducted drone strikes in various locations within Nushki, including Qazi Abad, Kili Jamaldini, Jamalabad, Qadir Abad, Ahmed Wal, and other areas, many of which remain unreported due to communication failures.

Among those killed was a three-year-old boy named Deedag, son of Manan and a resident of Kili Jamaldini, who reportedly died in one of these strikes.

The BYC stated, “Numerous other deaths and injuries were reported; however, due to limited communication and an atmosphere of fear, thorough verification is challenging.”

The rights organization highlighted a concerning and alarming decline in the human rights situation within the two districts throughout February.

“This period saw a marked increase in severe violations, including enforced disappearances, direct attacks on civilians, alleged drone strikes, demolition of homes, arbitrary arrests, communication blackouts, extended curfews, and stringent movement restrictions,” the BYC noted.

“The sudden enforcement of curfews by security forces severely disrupted civilian life, limiting access to healthcare and education, while instilling widespread fear among the populace,” it added.

The BYC further reported that cases of enforced disappearances in Nushki have surged to alarming levels, with estimates exceeding hundreds. In Kharan, more than 50 individuals have also gone missing, allegedly at the hands of Pakistani security forces.

Expressing deep concern, the rights organization reported that families of the victims faced threats from Pakistani authorities, warning them against voicing their grievances, with intimidation suggesting they could permanently lose their sons if they pursued these cases publicly.

“In numerous instances, families were told that their sons would be released only if they remained silent. Many families in Kharan were summoned by security forces and instructed to present their sons, only for these young men to be arrested on-site and taken to unidentified locations,” the BYC emphasized.

“The rising number of disappearances has caused significant psychological distress and increased insecurity within the community,” it concluded.