A human rights organization in Balochistan has accused Pakistani security forces of killing two Baloch youths extrajudicially, raising concerns about ongoing human rights violations in the region. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) claimed that 18-year-old Muhammad Khalid was fatally shot by Pakistan’s Eagle Squad personnel on April 10 while on his way to Quetta with friends to sell a motorbike and buy furniture. According to the BYC, Khalid was targeted without warning, separated from his friends, physically assaulted, and shot at close range.
The BYC reported that instead of receiving immediate medical help, Khalid was taken to an undisclosed location where he faced further violence. He was eventually transferred to Civil Hospital Quetta in critical condition, where he allegedly endured more abuse before succumbing to his injuries. The BYC expressed deep concern over the systematic killings in Balochistan, emphasizing the escalating use of force and mistreatment of victims and their families, creating a pervasive sense of insecurity in the region.
In a separate incident, the BYC disclosed that another 18-year-old student, Chakar Baloch, was also extrajudicially killed by a Pakistan-backed death squad in the Kech district on April 9. Chakar was fatally shot at his shop by armed men associated with the death squad. The BYC strongly condemned this act, citing it as a severe violation of international human rights law, specifically Article 6 (Right to Life) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which prohibits arbitrary deprivation of life under all circumstances.
The BYC expressed serious apprehension, underscoring the lack of accountability in the face of the ongoing human rights crisis in Balochistan. Families are suffering while perpetrators operate with impunity, highlighting the urgent need for independent and transparent investigations to ensure accountability and prevent further loss of life in the region. The BYC urged international human rights organizations and the United Nations to intervene promptly to address the situation in Balochistan.
