Are Pakistani Forces Responsible for 121 Killings and 785 Disappearances in Balochistan This Year?
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Synopsis
A shocking report reveals that Balochistan has witnessed 121 extrajudicial killings and 785 enforced disappearances this year, allegedly at the hands of Pakistani forces and state-sponsored death squads. This alarming trend highlights severe human rights violations that demand urgent international attention.
Key Takeaways
- 785 individuals forcibly disappeared in Balochistan this year.
- 121 extrajudicial killings reported in the same timeframe.
- Victims include students, journalists, and peaceful protesters.
- Actions carried out by state-backed death squads.
- Calls for international accountability and justice.
Quetta, Aug 4 (NationPress) A human rights organization disclosed on Monday that 785 people have been forcibly disappeared and 121 individuals have fallen victim to extrajudicial killings in Balochistan at the hands of Pakistani forces and "state-supported death squads" since the beginning of 2025.
According to Paank, the Human Rights Department of the Baloch National Movement, the average daily toll includes four forced disappearances and one killing.
The unfortunate victims comprise students, journalists, and peaceful demonstrators, with many being abducted from major cities like Karachi and Islamabad.
"These atrocities were perpetrated by security forces and state-backed death squads operating with total impunity," the rights organization stated.
This report comes in the wake of the extrajudicial killing of Dil Jan Baloch by a state-backed death squad on August 2, after he was forcibly disappeared on July 22 in the Kech district of Balochistan, as per the human rights organization Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC).
On Sunday, another tragic incident occurred when Inayat Khair Mohammad, forcibly disappeared last December, was killed by the Pakistan-backed death squad, reported the Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB).
The rights organization indicated that these groups, commonly referred to as "death squads," are known to operate with "impunity" and are widely perceived as acting as proxies for state interests in Balochistan.
"This ongoing pattern aligns with previously documented strategies aimed at silencing dissenting voices against state policies in Balochistan while circumventing formal justice mechanisms," the HRCB remarked.
The organization stressed that these actions represent ongoing violations of Pakistan's binding international human rights obligations, including those mandated by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), particularly regarding the right to life, protection from arbitrary detention, and the prohibition of enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killing.
Human rights organizations have consistently called for international oversight and credible accountability measures to secure justice for victims and deter further violations in Balochistan.
Point of View
Our commitment remains steadfast towards highlighting human rights abuses globally. The troubling reports from Balochistan underscore a dire need for accountability and justice. We support the call for international scrutiny and believe in the power of informed dialogue to drive change.
NationPress
07/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is happening in Balochistan?
Balochistan has experienced a significant rise in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, totaling 785 disappearances and 121 killings this year, allegedly by Pakistani forces and death squads.
Who are the victims?
The victims include students, journalists, and peaceful protesters, many of whom were abducted from cities like Karachi and Islamabad.
What do human rights organizations say?
Human rights organizations are calling for international scrutiny and accountability mechanisms to address these violations and ensure justice for the victims.
