Baloch Activists Accuse Pakistan’s CTD of Staged Killings in Balochistan
In Balochistan’s Musa Khel district, four missing men were reportedly killed in what human rights groups are calling a “staged encounter” by Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). This incident has caused outrage among Baloch activists and human rights organizations, who claim these killings are part of a pattern of extrajudicial actions targeting Baloch individuals who had been forcibly disappeared.
On November 3, the CTD claimed responsibility for an operation on the national highway near Rarasham. According to their report, a joint force of CTD personnel, Frontier Corps (FC), and law enforcement agents engaged in a gunbattle with “terrorists” attempting to block the highway. The CTD stated that three suspects were killed, two were arrested, and several weapons were confiscated.
The families of three of the deceased identified them as individuals who had been missing for weeks or months. The victims were named as Muhammad Nawaz Buzdar, detained on September 10 in Loralai; Ghulam Buzdar, taken into custody on October 2 at a petrol station in Rarasham; and Jafar Marri, detained around the same time. The fourth victim’s identity remains unconfirmed.
The Baloch Yakjheti Committee condemned the alleged encounter, accusing Pakistani security forces of staging the incident. They assert that it reflects a broader trend of targeting forcibly disappeared Baloch individuals. In a statement, the Committee highlighted a “disturbing trend of fake encounters by state forces.”
Reports indicate this incident mirrors a similar occurrence last year, when CTD officials were accused of staging an encounter resulting in the death of a young detainee in Turbat. This case incited protests, including a long march from Quetta to Islamabad led by Baloch activist Mahrang Baloch.
Human rights organizations have urged Pakistani authorities to investigate these extrajudicial killings and hold those responsible accountable. Despite these calls, incidents of “staged encounters” involving Baloch missing persons persist, fueling ongoing tensions and calls for justice.
Doubts Revealed
Balochistan -: Balochistan is a province in Pakistan. It is known for its rich natural resources and has a history of political unrest.
Baloch Activists -: Baloch activists are people who work to raise awareness about the issues faced by the Baloch people, including human rights violations and political struggles.
CTD -: CTD stands for Counter Terrorism Department. It is a part of the police force in Pakistan that deals with preventing and investigating terrorism-related activities.
Staged Killings -: Staged killings refer to incidents where people are killed in a way that is made to look like a legal encounter or battle, but is actually planned and executed by authorities.
Musa Khel district -: Musa Khel is a district in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. It is one of the areas where the reported incident took place.
Baloch Yakjheti Committee -: The Baloch Yakjheti Committee is a group that works to unite Baloch people and address their issues, including human rights and political matters.
Extrajudicial Killings -: Extrajudicial killings are when people are killed by authorities without any legal process or trial. It is considered a violation of human rights.