At least six civilians have allegedly been forcibly disappeared in Balochistan by Pakistani forces, as reported by a prominent human rights organization. These incidents add to a concerning trend of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in the region. The Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ) expressed serious alarm over the mass disappearances in Dera Bugti district, emphasizing the lack of legal procedures and the resulting fear among local residents.
The victims, identified as Nabi Sher, Nabi Baksh, Usama, Meer Gul, Kareem, and Siddiq, are part of the recent surge in enforced disappearances in Dera Bugti, according to the rights group. The BVJ highlighted that ten individuals were taken into illegal custody two weeks ago and are still missing. Allegations from sources suggest that Pakistani officials, including those from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), are demanding significant sums of money from families for the release of the detained individuals.
The BVJ condemned these actions as part of a consistent pattern of coercion and impunity, calling for an immediate independent investigation into the matter. Additionally, the Baloch National Movement (BNM) conducted an awareness campaign in the United States last week to shed light on what they described as Pakistan’s ongoing atrocities, anti-Baloch policies, and brutal treatment of the Baloch people in Balochistan.
