Protests intensify in Balochistan amid growing concerns over enforced disappearances

The victim families have been staging a sit-in protest against enforced disappearance in front of the Kech DC office for the last three days demanding the safe release of their loved ones but the district administration has failed to ensure their release.

Protesters blamed security agencies and state-backed armed groups for the abductions.

According to a report by the Balochistan Post, a youth named Siraj Ahmed, son of Shafi Muhammad, a resident of Nodaz, has reportedly been abducted by a state-backed armed group.

He was forcibly abducted while having lunch at a hotel a few days ago. Eyewitnesses claimed that armed men tied his hands and legs and then took him away in a car, The Balochistan Post reported.

Furthermore, the kidnappers are believed to be members of a pro-government armed group known locally as the ‘Death Squad’.

These groups are reportedly active in various parts of Balochistan and are accused of a number of criminal activities, including kidnappings for ransom, enforced disappearances, extortion and targeted killings of political activists.

Political and human rights activists allege that these 'death squads' are supported by the Pakistani military and secret agencies in their efforts to counter the ongoing independence movement in Balochistan.

The International Voice for Baloch Missing Persons reported the disappearance of three more Balochs from Kharan in a post on X.

It said, “Occupying Pakistan Army and intelligence agencies, while conducting search operation in Kharan yesterday, forcibly disappeared three persons from Kharan Kabadani area and took them to unknown place.”

The enforced disappearances have been identified as Hafizullah, son of Fazal Muhammad Chanal, Manzoor Ahmad, son of Abbas Yelanzai, and Ziaullah, son of Fazal Muhammad Chanal. It said Manzoor Ahmad and Ziaullah were later released, while Hafizullah is still missing.

Meanwhile, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) will organise Baloch Raji Muchi (Baloch National Assembly) in Gwadar on July 28 in response to the Baloch genocide.

The committee has run a hashtag named #MarchAgainstBalochGenocide on social media platform X and appealed to the people to unite against the evil and send a clear message by joining Baloch Raji Muchi.