Enforced Disappearances – Five More Civilians Missing in Balochistan
Enforced Disappearances – At least five civilians have reportedly gone missing in separate incidents across Balochistan, according to statements issued Tuesday by regional human rights organisations. The cases add to mounting concerns over enforced disappearances and alleged extrajudicial actions in the province.
Fresh Allegations Surface in Hub and Chaghi
Paank, the human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement, said a 33-year-old labourer, Ghulam Sarwar, was taken from the Abdullah Bizenjo Goth area in Hub district on February 21. The organisation alleged that personnel linked to the Pakistan Army and Military Intelligence were involved in his disappearance.
In a separate case, Paank reported that 24-year-old student Amir Baloch was detained on February 19 in the Killi Qasum Khan locality of Chaghi district. According to the group, security forces were responsible for his removal from the area. No official statement confirming the detentions has been released by authorities.
Brothers Reportedly Detained During Night Raid
The rights body also detailed a third incident in Awaran district. Two brothers, Saadullah and Lal Jan, were allegedly taken into custody during a raid on their home in the Kuhado Jahoo region on February 18. Family members claim the operation was carried out by army personnel. Their whereabouts remain unknown, the organisation said.
Families of the missing individuals have reportedly appealed for information, stating they have not received formal notification regarding charges or locations of detention.
Student’s Disappearance Raises Wider Alarm
Another advocacy group, Baloch Voice for Justice, highlighted the case of Danial Nasir, a graduate of the Governance and Public Policy Department at the National University of Modern Languages in Karachi. According to the organisation, Nasir was taken into custody on February 16.
The group described him as a young graduate with aspirations in public service and expressed concern over what it called a pattern of targeting Baloch students. It urged authorities to disclose his whereabouts and ensure due legal process.
Human rights defenders maintain that enforced disappearance constitutes a serious violation of domestic and international law. They have called for transparency, accountability, and immediate clarification in each of the reported cases.
Shooting Incident Adds to Tensions
Separately, local media outlets reported that two women were killed and three others injured after security forces opened fire on a vehicle near the Phul Abad area. Eyewitnesses cited by The Balochistan Post claimed the vehicle was carrying Afghan nationals who were believed to be attempting to travel toward Iran.
Details surrounding the shooting remain limited. Reports indicate that several individuals at the scene were taken into custody. The injured were transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Authorities have not publicly commented on the circumstances of the incident.
Longstanding Concerns Over Security Operations
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area, has experienced years of unrest linked to separatist movements, security operations, and political tensions. Rights organisations have repeatedly raised allegations of enforced disappearances, unlawful detentions, and targeted killings in the region.
Pakistani authorities have previously stated that security measures are conducted in response to militant threats and to maintain stability. However, advocacy groups argue that a lack of transparency surrounding detentions has deepened mistrust among local communities.
Calls for independent investigations have grown louder as more families report missing relatives. Legal experts note that under national and international human rights standards, detainees must be produced before a court and allowed access to legal representation.
As of now, no official confirmation has been issued regarding the individuals named in the recent reports. Families and rights organisations continue to demand clarity on their fate and whereabouts, while urging authorities to uphold due process and human rights obligations in the province.