Unabated Enforced Disappearances and Killings Deepen Human Rights Concerns in Balochistan
SHAAL, QUETTA: A series of killings reported across several districts of Balochistan over recent weeks has intensified concerns regarding enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and targeted violence in Balochistan.
Among the latest cases is that of Abdul Razzaq Baloch son of Abdul Ghani and a resident of Marri Abad, Mach, in Bolan district.
According to family members, he was taken into custody on January 1, 2026, from the Abdul Ghaffar Qalandrani Petrol Pump in Marri Abad and remained missing for more than five months.
On June 12, his body was identified among those killed during a Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) staged encounter in Sibi. Authorities reportedly described the incident as an armed encounter, while relatives maintain that he had been in custody before his death, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the so-called ‘armed encounter’.
On the same day, the body of Saddam, a 28-year-old mechanic and son of Mehrab Ali from Shapuk, Turbat, was recovered from the D-Baloch area of Turbat in Kech district. Saddam had earned a living supporting his family through his work as a mechanic. The circumstances of his death remain unclear, and the discovery of his body has left relatives and local residents seeking answers.
In the Washuk district, two young men who had been missing for weeks were found dead on June 8. Shabeer Ahmed, a 19-year-old farmer and son of Sabro Khan from Kocha Gresha Naal, was arrested and disappeared on April 27.
His family said repeated efforts to determine his whereabouts yielded no information. More than a month later, his body was recovered in the Besima area of Washuk with multiple gunshot wounds.
The same day, the body of 18-year-old Irshad Alam son of Alam Khan and a young businessman from Bidrang, Gresha Naal, was also recovered in Besima.
According to relatives, Irshad had been missing since April 30. His death has added to growing concerns over reports of young men being abducted and later being found dead under disputed circumstances.
Another fatal shooting was reported on June 1 in the Tasp area of Panjgur district. Noshad Ahmed, 28, son of Jameel Ahmed, was killed on Chedagi Road when unidentified armed men opened fire on him.
According to local accounts, the attack occurred in broad daylight and resulted in fatal injuries. The killing has heightened fear among residents of the area and renewed concerns over security conditions in Panjgur.
Earlier, on May 24, Shah Hussain, a 26-year-old police constable and resident of Tasp, Panjgur, was killed after previously being subjected to enforced disappearance.
According to relatives, Hussain had been detained in October 2025 and was released several days later. His killing months afterwards has drawn particular attention because he was serving as a government employee at the time of his death.
The incidents have added to longstanding concerns surrounding violence and human rights abuses in Balochistan. Families of the victims continue to seek information about the circumstances of the deaths and accountability for those responsible.
Human rights observers have repeatedly expressed concern over reports of enforced disappearances, prolonged detentions without due process and in-custody killings in Balochistan.
