Balochistan Horror: 3 Bodies Recovered Amid Claims of Enforced Disappearances
Three bodies were recovered in Balochistan as families accuse Pakistani security forces of enforced disappearances and death squad attacks.
A wave of terror and grief has gripped Balochistan as three bodies were recovered in separate incidents, sparking fresh allegations of enforced disappearances in Balochistan involving Pakistani security forces and state-backed armed groups.
The Recovery of Sameer Baloch
The discovery of Sameer Baloch's body near a water supply facility in Dazan, Tump, has brought a tragic end to a family's desperate search. According to reports from The Balochistan Post, Sameer hailed from Gobard in Mand. His family has leveled serious accusations against Pakistani security forces, claiming he was forcibly taken from his own residence.
The tragedy extends beyond Sameer; the same operation that saw his disappearance reportedly led to the detention of three other individuals: Waseem Baloch and brothers Sagheer and Zaheer Baloch. As of now, the whereabouts of these three men remain unknown, leaving their families in a state of agonizing uncertainty.
Other Fatalities and Abductions
The violence in the region has not been limited to a single operation. Two other bodies were discovered in different locations:
- Adam: His body was recovered from Aasiabad in Tump. Reports indicate that he had been abducted by unidentified individuals several days prior to the discovery.
- Asim: Found dead in the Sorap area of Buleda, Asim's body bore bullet injuries. While police have shifted the body for legal formalities, the exact circumstances surrounding his killing remain shrouded in mystery.
Death Squads and Targeted Attacks
The insecurity in the region is further compounded by the alleged presence of 'death squads'—state-backed armed groups. In Diyat near Turbat, an unidentified man was shot dead, while in Panwan, Jiwani, a fishing boat captain named Muhammad Anwar Baloch was seriously injured in a gunshot attack. Local sources have pointed toward these death squads as the perpetrators.
Furthermore, reports suggest that three more individuals, including men named Abdullah and Saleem, were forcibly disappeared from Pul Abad in Kech. This operation allegedly involved a collaboration between Pakistani forces and members of a death squad.
A Glimmer of Hope and a Grim Reality
Amidst the carnage, there have been a few instances of missing persons returning home. Four men were recently recovered:
- Mahmood was found in Panjgur on October 31.
- Waqas Baloch was recovered in Rawalpindi on November 5.
- Jawad Shad returned in Quetta on November 6.
- Shafiq Ahmed's recovery was reported earlier in May.
The Scale of the Crisis
The Human Rights Council of Balochistan has provided a chilling statistical overview of the situation in the region. In its September report, the organization documented 54 cases of enforced disappearances. This number includes vulnerable populations, such as nine teenagers, two women, and a young girl.
The report also recorded 66 killings in the region. In a particularly disturbing trend, 14 of those killed had previously been victims of enforced disappearance, suggesting a pattern where detainees are held in secret before being killed.