Balochistan Horror: 6 People, Including Minor, Vanish in Forced Disappearances
Six individuals, including a university student and a 15-year-old, have reportedly been subjected to enforced disappearances in Balochistan and Karachi.
The grim pattern of enforced disappearances in Balochistan has intensified, with reports emerging that at least six individuals have been picked up by unidentified personnel across various districts and in Karachi. Among those missing are a 15-year-old boy and a university student, leaving families in a state of desperation and uncertainty.
The Trail of Missing Persons
According to reports from The Balochistan Post, the disappearances occurred in separate incidents across Khuzdar, Kech, Sibi, and Karachi. The victims were allegedly detained by various security agencies and unidentified squads, with no official record of their arrests or current locations.
Terror in Khuzdar and Kech
In the Khuzdar district, 22-year-old Abdullah Baloch became a victim of this trend on November 4. He was reportedly detained near the Islamic School around 6:30 pm by members of a local death squad. Since that moment, his whereabouts have remained a mystery.
The Kech district witnessed similar operations on the night of November 3, where Frontier Corps (FC) personnel reportedly detained two residents of Buleda:
- Nasim Baloch was allegedly taken from his residence in Sorap at approximately 1 am.
- A 15-year-old boy was picked up from his home in Reko on the same night.
Sibi and Karachi: No Clues for Families
In the Sibi district, two residents of Sangan, Gul Ahmed and Zahir Baloch, were reportedly detained by personnel from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). Gul Ahmed, a farmer, vanished from his home on October 22, while Zahir, a driver, was picked up from Sibi city on October 21. Their families continue to search for answers with no information provided by the authorities.
The reach of these operations extended to Karachi, where Farooq Gador, a resident of Mari Pur, was allegedly abducted from his shop near the Mari Pur Main Stop on November 5. He was reportedly taken by personnel in plainclothes. His family has issued a poignant demand: either his immediate recovery or his production before a court of law if he is being held for legal proceedings.
Student Activism Under Fire
Beyond these six cases, the Baloch Students Council Punjab has voiced strong condemnation over the reported disappearance of Saqlain Baloch. Saqlain is a member of the Baloch Students Council Bahawalpur and a student at Islamia University of Bahawalpur. His disappearance highlights the growing tension and vulnerability of Baloch students pursuing education outside their home province.
The recurring nature of these incidents continues to fuel fear and instability in the region, as families are left to wonder if their loved ones will ever return.