Multiple Killings in Balochistan Raise Fresh Concerns Over Enforced Disappearances

SHAAL, BALOCHISTAN: A latest surge in killings across Balochistan has intensified concerns over enforced disappearances and extrajudicial actions, following several incidents in Paroom, Panjgur and Quetta involving civilians who had previously gone missing.

According to details, multiple individuals, including shepherds, students and workers, were disappeared earlier this year and later found dead under disputed circumstances.

In one case, Zulfaqar, a 47-year-old shepherd from Gishtagan, was taken on February 21 from Nehing Zamuran without a warrant. His family said they received no information about his whereabouts for nearly two months. On April 16, his body was discovered in Paroom, with authorities describing the incident as an “encounter.” His family and rights groups rejected the state narrative and maintained that he was killed in custody.

A similar account emerged in the case of Shahram, a 38-year-old shepherd from the same region, who was also reported missing on February 21. After weeks without information, his death was likewise reported on April 16 in Paroom. His killing was also described as an encounter, a term critics say is frequently used to characterise disputed killings.

In Panjgur district, the case of Hatim Baloch, a 17-year-old student from Shapatan, has drawn particular attention. He was reportedly taken on April 5 from the Paroom area and later found dead. Accounts from local sources say he was held in custody and subjected to torture before his body was returned. The Pakistani authorities have not publicly detailed the circumstances of his death.

Separately, four individuals were killed in what Pakistani officials described as a security operation in Panjgur. However, local sources and families have said that some of those killed, including 18-year-old student Marwan Baloch, had previously been reported missing, raising further questions about the nature of the incident.

In Quetta, another case involved Israr Baloch, a 25-year-old tailor who was detained on March 25 by personnel identified by family members as part of a security unit, Eagle Squad. According to relatives, he was transferred between multiple police stations before his death in custody was reported. Officials have not issued a detailed public statement addressing the allegations.

Human rights groups and local organisations say these incidents reflect a broader pattern in Balochistan, where individuals are reported missing and later found dead, often with limited official explanation. Families frequently report difficulties in obtaining information about detained relatives and describe prolonged periods of uncertainty.

While the issue of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings has been raised repeatedly by activists and advocacy groups, authorities have in the past said that security operations in the region target militant activity. Independent verification of individual cases remains difficult due to limited access and restricted information.