The killing of 27 forcibly disappeared Baloch people by Pakistani forces in ‘Operation Herof’ is part of a longstanding pattern in Balochistan. The Baloch Liberation Army initiated the second phase of armed resistance against Pakistani forces, leading to the deaths of these individuals in various locations. Despite being declared armed resistance fighters, one of the victims, Hamdan Baloch, was set to appear in court on the day he was killed.
This extrajudicial killing is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend spanning over a decade in Balochistan. The systematic targeting of Baloch youth by Pakistani authorities has raised concerns about human rights violations. The killings often follow losses inflicted by Baloch armed groups on the Pakistani military, with security agencies justifying them as casualties of armed clashes.
Reports indicate a media blackout and restrictions in Balochistan, limiting information reaching the outside world. The province grapples with a severe humanitarian crisis amid its struggle against Pakistani repression. The Baloch people have long sought independence from Islamabad’s control, facing enforced disappearances and custodial killings in the process.
The Human Rights Council of Balochistan has expressed alarm over escalating violence in the region, attributed to both Pakistani forces and non-state actors. A recent attack in the Kech district resulted in the deaths of six individuals and injuries to several others, including women and children. The rights body condemned such acts as severe violations of human rights and humanitarian principles, emphasizing the need for accountability and protection of civilians.
