Balochistan: Pakistani Forces Abduct Four Including a Woman During Ongoing Offensive

SHAAL (QUETTA): Pakistani security forces have abducted four civilians, including a woman, during the ongoing military offensive in Zehri area of Khuzdar district. The military aggression, which began in late September, has left the region under siege, with curfews in place and communication services suspended.

Local sources report that during a series of house raids, Pakistan forces subjected residents to physical violence before detaining Safia Bibi daughter of Gull Mohammad, Zahid son of Aziz, Asif Baloch and Asadullah son of Rasool Bakhsh. All four individuals were taken to an undisclosed location and their whereabouts remain unknown.

The town of Norgama in Zehri is said to be heavily militarised, with a large deployment of Pakistani troops currently stationed there. Residents have been ordered to stay indoors, as all entry and exit routes have been sealed. Internet and mobile networks have also been cut off, effectively isolating the region from the outside world.

This latest development comes amid a broader military campaign in the area. On September 15, at least seven people, including two women, were killed in airstrikes carried out by Pakistani forces. The ground operation began on September 27, intensifying fears among local populations of further violence and human rights violations.

Since the launch of the offensive, numerous reports have surfaced of civilians being harassed, detained and forcibly disappeared, a pattern that has drawn concern from rights groups and local activists.

For over two weeks, residents of Zehri have remained confined to their homes, facing shortages of essential supplies and an increasingly tense security situation. The lack of internet and mobile connectivity has further hampered the flow of information, making independent verification of events difficult.