In September 2024, the Human Rights Council of Balochistan reported 52 killings and 43 cases of enforced disappearances in the region, with only 15 victims released. The disappearances were largely attributed to the Frontier Corps (FC), intelligence agencies, and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD). The month was marked by widespread violence, including target killings, honor killings, and state-led extrajudicial killings, such as staged encounters and a blasphemy case. Several mutilated and unidentified bodies were also recovered.
Enforced Disappearances
These abductions frequently occurred through raids and direct detentions, particularly in Kech, Gwadar, Kharan, and Panjgur. Victims included eight students, four drivers, two shopkeepers, two levies personnel, advocates, a journalist, a teacher, and a laborer.
Cases:
- 03 September: Dad Shah Baloch was abducted by the CTD in Turbat around 1 AM and released on 08 September.
- 05 September: Naseem Imam, from Dasht, was taken by security forces in Domb, Dasht.
- 06 September: The Pakistani army abducted Akram, Abdul Malik, and Salahuddin during a raid in Chib, Buleda; they were released on 24 September.
- 07 September: Pakistani forces abducted Adnan Baloch (BYC member), journalist Zaheer Ahmad Mengal, and Muhammad Aamir from Kili Karak, Mastung. Zaheer and Aamir were released on 12 September; Adnan was released on 16 September.
- 09 September: Asad Usman Baloch’s family reported he was arrested by Bahraini authorities on 28 August, deported to Pakistan, and deported to Pakistan the following day. Upon arrival at Karachi Airport on 29 August, he was detained by Pakistani authorities and has since gone missing.
- 10 September: Intelligence agencies abducted Mohammad Nawaz Buzdar, a driver from Musakhel, in Loralai.
- 12 September: The Pakistani army detained Zubair Umar at the Duro-e-Kandag checkpoint in Dasht.
- 13 September: Sheeran Buzdar and Yar Khan Buzdar were abducted from a petrol pump in Rarasham. Sheeran’s son was beaten during the incident. The same day, two advocates, Fida Ahmed Dashti and Salahuddin Mengal were forcibly disappeared by the forces. Fida was taken from his home in Quetta by the CTD, while Salahuddin was abducted by Pakistani forces in the city. Both were released the next day.
- 15 September: Wali Jan Buzdar, a driver from Rarasham, went missing in Loralai but was released on 21 September.
- 17 September: Abdul Ghani Mengal (teacher) and Naeem Mengal (student) were forcibly disappeared from the Bypass area of Dalbandin but released on 22 September. On the same day, Zakir Dashti and Noor Salam were abducted in Bramsh Mashin, Panjgur.
- 18 September: Mudassir, a 16-year-old student from Turbat, went missing after being detained by forces. He was released the following day.
- 20 September: Mehboob and Wahab from Dasht were transferred from a checkpoint to unknown location. Zahid Baloch, a shopkeeper from Gresha in Khuzdar, was abducted from his home in Winder City, Lasbela, but was released the following day.
- 23 September: Yaqoob son of Shafi Muhammad was detained and disappeared by the Frontier Corps in Jhao, Awaran district.
- 24 September: Hamid Khan, a student was forcibly disappeared in Punjab. Akhtar Shah and Sahaj Mengal were abducted from Kili Pindarani, Kalat. Sahaj and Hamid were released on 26 September while Akhtar is still missing.
- 25 September: Irshad Ahmed, Aminullah, and Dawood Baloch were abducted during a raid. Amanullah was taken from his shop in Kharan. On the same day, Musa Khaliq Dad and Sameer Majeed, both Baloch students, were detained at a military checkpoint while traveling from Gwadar to Kapkpar.
- 26 September: Badal Khan Saki and Yaqoob Khair Jan were abducted during a house raid in Ellai Village, Awaran district.
- 27 September: Five individuals, including students Mehraj Noor Bakhsh (17-year-old), Ejaz Hussain, Ayyub Hamza, and levies policemen Doda Khalid and Zakria Zakir, were detained in Gwadar.
- 30 September: two brothers, Sabir Noor and Abid Noor were forcibly disappeared from their home in Panjgur.
Killings
In September, Balochistan recorded 52 killings, including seven women. Among the deceased, 32 were identified, while 20 remain unknown.
Fake Encounter: On 08 September, two brothers, Ismail and Habibullah, were killed in what Pakistani forces claimed to be an encounter in Kalat. Their family strongly rejected this claim, stating the brothers had been taken from their home during a raid and later killed in a staged encounter. Ismail, aged 20, required daily medication for a serious illness, while Habibullah, aged 17, worked as a laborer to support their family.
Target Killings: Twenty-one target killings took place in various areas across Balochistan. Notably, the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for two of these incidents, accusing the victims of collaborating with intelligence agencies. In most other cases, the perpetrators remain unidentified, and the motive remains unclear. Among those killed were Nasir Ahmed Lehri, a journalist and official of the Sarawan Press Club; BNP leader Agha Khalid Shah; and JUI leader Mir Zahoor Badini, all of whom were shot by unknown assailants. Seven victims hailed from Multan, Punjab, and were killed in the Khudabadan area of Panjgur when armed men broke into their residence.
Honor Killings: There were 7 reported incidents of honor killings. In 4 cases, fathers were the perpetrators, while in the other 3 cases, the husbands of the victims were responsible. These incidents took place in different areas across Balochistan.
Blasphemy Incident and Custodial Killing: In September 2024, a blasphemy case in Quetta escalated into a tragic event when a police officer killed a suspect in custody. Abdul Ali, accused of making derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad during a live social media conversation, was arrested under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code. His arrest triggered large protests and a violent mob attack on the police station. Despite being transferred for safety, a police constable, Syed Khan Sarhadi, shot and killed Ali, claiming to act in defense of religious honor.
Recovered Dead Bodies: Nine dead bodies were recovered from various regions of Balochistan, including Pajngur, Dalbandin, Nokundi, Kech, Kharan, Khuzdar, and Gwadar. Among the bodies was a girl, with five being mutilated and one decomposed. Only three of the bodies have been identified so far.
Victim Succumbed to Injuries: On 13 September, Hikmatullah succumbed to injuries sustained by the straight firing of Pakistani forces on 02 August 2024 during Baloch National Gathering. After receiving treatment for two months at Karachi Jinnah Hospital, he passed away.
Militants Killed by Security Forces: On 07 September, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) engaged five members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in an operation, resulting in their deaths. On 12 September, the Pakistan Air Force conducted bombings in the Ali Khan Tal area of Harnai, targeting Balochistan Liberation Army (Azad) positions. Several militants, including Shafu Sumalani, Samad Khan Chalghari Marri, Muhammad Gul Marri, Ghulam Qadir Marri, Ubaid Baloch, and Taj Muhammad Chalghari Marri, were killed during the airstrikes.
Other Highlights of the Month
CTD Summons BYC Members: On September 03, Biberg Baloch, a leader of the BYC in Quetta, alleged on social media that the CTD is intimidating committee workers by summoning them to their office and demanding identification.
Sammi Stopped at Karachi Airport: On September 8th, Sammi Deen Baloch, daughter of missing Dr. Deen Muhammad Baloch, was detained by the FIA at Karachi Airport while attempting to travel to Oman. She was informed that her name was on the Exit Control List and was held in a security room for four hours. She continues to seek answers in court regarding the travel restrictions imposed on her without any valid explanation.
Activists Added to Fourth Schedule List: On September 9th, the government added relatives of forcibly disappeared persons, Baloch Solidarity Committee members, and activists to the Fourth Schedule list, accusing them of links to the BLA. Notable names include BS Chairman Balach Qadir, Secretary General Samand Baloch, and BYC leader Bev Baloch’s father, Ghafar Qambrani. On September 30th, BYC central member Shaji Sibghatullah was also added to the Fourth Schedule under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Attack on Previously Disappeared Individual: On September 30th, Doda Nasir, recently recovered from a previous disappearance, and Riaz were shot by armed men on motorcycles in Pasni. Both were seriously injured and hospitalized.
