Why Are Pakistani Forces Detaining 15 Baloch Civilians?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 15 Baloch civilians detained amid rising human rights concerns.
- Baloch Voice for Justice highlights the pattern of mass detentions.
- International organizations urged to intervene and ensure accountability.
- Families report fear and lack of legal recourse.
- Forced disappearances continue to target vulnerable individuals.
Quetta, Nov 24 (NationPress) - Pakistani forces have detained at least 15 Baloch civilians in Balochistan, marking a troubling turn in the ongoing human rights crisis in the region, according to a prominent human rights organization on Monday.
The Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ) reported that on November 21, a fresh wave of raids occurred in the Dera Bugti district, where personnel from Pakistan's Frontier Corps and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) forcibly entered numerous residences and apprehended over 15 individuals.
Among those taken into custody, nine have been identified as Qasair, Jeha Khan, Bugti Khan, Shabeer, Mangal, Hassan, Rasheed, Noroz, and Islam.
The BVJ stated, "These operations reveal a persistent trend of mass arrests without any information regarding the detainees. Families are engulfed by fear and pressure, lacking access to any legal recourse. This raises significant concerns under global human rights standards that shield civilians from arbitrary detentions."
The organization has called for urgent intervention from the United Nations Human Rights body, the European Commission, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other international observers, demanding independent verification, transparency, and the safe return of all detainees.
In its report on the atrocities in Balochistan, the BVJ highlighted that two additional civilians were forcibly disappeared by Pakistani authorities.
The rights group indicated that Baloch civilian Bilal Wahid was abducted by Pakistani forces from the Chitkhan area in the Panjgur district on November 20. Wahid's family asserts that he had no political affiliations and worked daily to support his household.
"The trend of targeting young earners has escalated across Panjgur. Each incident exacerbates anxiety within the district and leaves families in dire financial straits," the BVJ noted.
Furthermore, on November 18, armed individuals associated with a Pakistan-backed death squad kidnapped Dur Jan from the Malik Abad area in Kech district.
According to witnesses, Jan was taken in front of a shop, with local residents reporting frequent raids in the vicinity, while families expressed frustration over prolonged waits and a total lack of information.
In calling for the safe return of both men, the BVJ emphasized, "The phenomena of forced disappearances continue to target workers and students. Communities are increasingly under pressure. Authorities must provide an account for each detainee."