Banda Khan Bugti Disappears Amid Tensions in Balochistan
Quetta (Balochistan) [Pakistan], August 23: Amid ongoing tensions in Balochistan, where Pakistani security forces have been accused of abducting Baloch human rights activists and peaceful protesters, a resident of the Dera Bugti district, Banda Khan Bugti, has allegedly been ‘forcibly disappeared’ by Pakistani security forces in Quetta according to a report by The Balochistan Post.
The report states that Banda Khan Bugti, the son of Nazar Ali Bugti, was apprehended on August 15 in the Satellite Town area of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan. Banda Khan was reportedly arrested shortly after leaving a mosque near his home, where he had been performing prayers. Since then, his whereabouts have remained unknown.
Enforced disappearances are a significant issue in Balochistan. Baloch activists, politicians, and human rights groups have long criticized such disappearances, describing them as a form of collective punishment. They have argued that such actions not only affect the individual but also cause immense distress to their families.
Earlier, on August 14, Riaz Ahmed Baloch, a singer, was reportedly forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security forces in Quetta. He was abducted in the evening at around 7 p.m. in Jinnah Town, Killi Shabo, allegedly due to his vocal criticism of Pakistani security forces. Another individual, Javed Ali, a resident of the Mehnaz area of Buleda, went missing while traveling from Buleda to Turbat on July 31. His family has accused Pakistani security forces of being responsible for his disappearance.
In March 2024, Hafeez Baloch, a postgraduate student from a Pakistani university, disappeared while protesting against atrocities committed by Pakistani security forces. Regions in Balochistan that have been severely affected by enforced disappearances include Quetta, Kech, Mashkay, and Awaran. In July 2024, several individuals were reported missing.
Enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan are part of a trend known as the ‘kill and dump’ policy. This tactic, allegedly used by Pakistani armed forces, involves abducting individuals, often activists or nationalists, and then executing them.
Doubts Revealed
Banda Khan Bugti -: Banda Khan Bugti is a person from Dera Bugti district in Balochistan, Pakistan. He has recently gone missing.
Balochistan -: Balochistan is a province in Pakistan. It is known for its natural resources and has had tensions with the Pakistani government.
Dera Bugti -: Dera Bugti is a district in Balochistan, Pakistan. It is the home district of Banda Khan Bugti.
Quetta -: Quetta is the capital city of Balochistan province in Pakistan. It is where Banda Khan Bugti was allegedly abducted.
Pakistani security forces -: Pakistani security forces are the military and police units in Pakistan. They are sometimes accused of taking people away without permission.
enforced disappearances -: Enforced disappearances happen when people are taken away secretly by the government or its agents, and their whereabouts are not revealed.
activists -: Activists are people who work to bring about social or political change. In Balochistan, some activists criticize the government.
Riaz Ahmed Baloch -: Riaz Ahmed Baloch is a singer from Balochistan who has also gone missing recently.
Hafeez Baloch -: Hafeez Baloch is a student from Balochistan who has also disappeared recently.
human rights groups -: Human rights groups are organizations that work to protect people’s basic rights and freedoms. They are criticizing the disappearances in Balochistan.
collective punishment -: Collective punishment is when a group of people is punished for the actions of one or a few individuals. Human rights groups say this is happening in Balochistan.