Pakistan: Death squads wreak havoc in Balochistan, lead to global concern

New Delhi: The regular enforced disappearances people by security forces in the Balochistan province of Pakistan has caused global concern. It is being reported that Pakistani security agencies are involved in these heinous acts. All of them were abducted during a raid. Their whereabouts have remained unknown. The families of the missing are distraught and worried. They are protesting with photographs of their loved ones. However, they have not yet received any concrete information. This incident is reported to have occurred in Panjgur and Karachi.

What is the recent incident?

Residents of Pulabad, Panjgur, reported a recent raid. They say gunmen arrived and searched their homes, detaining six people. Eyewitnesses say those abducted have been sent to unknown locations. Locals mentioned two names: Inayat and Rashid. According to the Balochistan Post, no one else has been identified.

In addition to these six, 23-year-old Zulfiqar, son of Hamid, is also missing. Reports indicate he was abducted from a market on February 13th. Locals allege he is associated with a pro-government armed group known as the "Death Squad." Currently, the families of these individuals have not received any information. A similar incident occurred last December, when Zakir Noor, a student from Panjgur, was abducted in Karachi. The Baloch rights organization PANK stated that he was abducted by security agencies without any legal documents.

What has the BLA done to Pakistan Army?

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), an armed insurgent group fighting for the independence of Balochistan, has claimed to have taken seven Pakistani Army soldiers hostage. The BLA has also released a video of the captured Pakistani security personnel. The group has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Pakistani government, demanding the exchange of the soldiers in exchange for the release of Baloch prisoners. The video, released on the BLA's media channel, Haqqal, states that these soldiers were captured during the recent Operation Herof 2.0. The BLA stated that its fighters had captured seven Pakistani Army soldiers from the Oranch area during Operation Herof 2.0. The Baloch Liberation Army's Command Council has decided to give Pakistan seven days to exchange these soldiers for their release.

In a video released by Haqqal Media, a Pakistani soldier reveals his name and rank and appeals for the release of his and his fellow soldiers by meeting the BLA's demands. The BLA confiscated a large quantity of weapons from these soldiers. Significantly, the release of this video is bound to embarrass the Pakistani Army, which had not acknowledged the BLA's capture of any of its soldiers.

What was the BLA's Operation Herof 2.0?

The Balochistan Liberation Army launched a major operation against the Pakistani Army in late January. The BLA attacked 12 different cities across Balochistan, targeting the Pakistani Army and other security forces. Pakistan dubbed it Operation Herof 2.0. The BLA claimed to have killed 200 Pakistani security personnel and captured many more in this attack. The Pakistani Army acknowledged the casualties, but significantly reduced the number to 17. Pakistani officials said more than 50 people, including civilians, were killed.