In January 2025, one hundred seventeen cases of enforced disappearances were reported across Balochistan. Among the victims, thirty-six were released, while eighty remain missing, and one was killed. Additionally, thirty-three killings were recorded, including extrajudicial executions. Of these, twenty-six victims were identified, while three remain unidentified.

Moreover, ahead of preparations for Baloch Genocide Remembrance Day in Dalbandin, the government launched a crackdown on the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC). Meanwhile, the police and the security forces threatened, profiled, and arrested students of Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC) as they campaigned for book stalls across Balochistan and Sindh.

Enforced Disappearances:

Out of one hundred seventeen enforced disappearances, nineteen were students, including seven minors—individuals under the age of eighteen. Thirteen were laborers, and the remaining victims included shepherds, oil traders, a government employee, a retired policeman, and an artist.

The Frontier Corps (FC) was responsible for 108 of the abductions, followed by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) (5), and intelligence agencies (4).

Most of these disappearances took place during house raids (77), with others occurring during detentions (30), at checkpoints (9), or following summons to camps (1). The Kech, Awaran, and Khuzdar districts accounted for more than half of the cases, with significant numbers also reported from Dera Bugti, Panjgur, Gwadar, and Nushki.

January 01:

Abdul Samad was forcibly disappeared by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Barkhan, as reported by his brother.
Allah Bakhsh, an elderly man from Awaran district, was abducted during a raid in Jhao. Only two days prior to the abduction, he had been tortured during an operation in the Kumbi mountain range. He was released on January 4, 2025.

January 02:

Sakim, a Political Science student at the University of Turbat, and his cousin Inayatullah were abducted from Gwarkop, Kech district, while traveling from Turbat to Jamak, and released the following day.

January 03:

Hamal Baloch, a resident of Dasht, was abducted from Gwadar. His whereabouts remain unknown.

January 04:

Shakeel (son of Abdul Latif) and Riaz (son of Niaz Muhammad) were detained by the forces in Nushki and moved to an unknown location.
Asif Baloch (son of Umar Khan) also forcibly disappeared from his home in Qaziabad, Nushki.

January 05:

Ashraf and Pato Khan, sons of Bhora Khan Bugti, were abducted by the Frontier Corps (FC) from Sui City.

January 06:

Saeed and Hameed (sons of Abdullah), along with Rafiq Ahmed, abducted from their home in the Mand, area of district Kech.
Shukrullah, son of Muhammad Ali Zamurani, a student, disappeared in Shahi Tump, Kech. He was released on January 11.
Kiya, son of Faiz, and Kengi, son of Bashir, were abducted from Minaz, Buleda. Their whereabouts remain unknown.

January 07:

Ramzan Baloch, an employee of NADRA, was abducted in Mand while working. His family protested, and he was released the next day.
Two brothers, Sherjan Ishaq and Farooq Ishaq, were abducted from their home in Apsar Bonde Bazar, Turbat. Sherjan was released on January 13, and Farooq on January 9. Their other brother, Shams Ishaq, has been missing for three years.
Shahjan, son of Basham, was abducted from his home in Tump.
Shahzaib, son of Allah Dad, was abducted from Apsar Bonde Bazar and released on January 11 after protests.

January 08:

Asim Qambrani (13) and Bilawal Qambrani (14) were abducted from Kharan Village, Sarawan. They were released on January 10 after their families protested.
Ghani, son of Noor Bakhsh, and Sayad Hussain, both residents of Kech, were forcibly disappeared in Gwadar.
Hafeez, son of Rozi, was abducted from Gwadar. His brother, Sattar Baloch, also disappeared and remains missing.

January 09:

Fida Wali Dad, a laborer from Apsar Kolwai Bazar, Turbat, disappeared during a house raid. His family protested, leading to his release on January 17.

January 10:

Irshad Ahmed was abducted from Iftikhar Medical, Turbat, and Nawaz Nadil, a 17-year-old student from BRC College Turbat, disappeared from Ghamshad Hotel.

January 11:

Balach Lohani was abducted by Pakistani forces in district Kohlu when he was summoned to the camp to seek the recovery of his two sons, who had forcibly disappeared earlier. Additionally, Yar Khan Jalambani was taken from his home, while Koday, son of Meshdar Loharani, and Juma Shahijo were abducted from a road.
In a raid on Zehri town in Khuzdar, forces abducted twelve individuals. The victims were identified as Khalid, Shabbir, Faiz, Imran, Bilal, Fahad, Zubair, Jahanzaib, Nadir, Fardeen, Dawood, and Abdul Karim. Families blocked the Zehri Cross and N-25 highway in protest. While some victims were released on January 14, others remain missing.
Siraj Baloch son of Nasrullah was abducted by Pakistani forces from Buleda Minaz in Kech.

January 12:

Nine individuals, identified as Rustam, Sikandar, Muhammad, Ali Sher, Jamal Din, Dad Khan, Moj Ali, Sundar, and Hali Bugti were abducted during house raids in Sui and Hamzani colony, Dera Bugti.
Shakeel Rind, Sheyhaq Gulam Qadir, and Munir Ahmed disappeared in Kech but were released on January 18.
Muhammad Deen Marri, son of Lal Khan Marri, disappeared in Harnai.

January 14:

Security forces abducted Pindok Somar, Shoaib, and Ayoub in Mazarabad, Mashkay, district Awaran. Pindok was tortured to death in custody, and his body was returned to the family on January 25. Shoaib and Ayoub were released later.

January 15:

Nabi Dad, son of Ibrahim, and Mahmood, son of Zulfiqar, were disappeared from Mashkay, Awaran.
Bilal Baloch and Ismail Baloch were abducted from Turbat during a night raid.
Mazir Nazir and Jasim Ahmed disappeared from the Saidan area of Panjgur.
Mehmood Zulfiqar, a laborer from Malashiaband, Mashkay, was abducted by forces but released the following day.

16 January:

Ibrar Qambrani, son of Haji Khurshaid Qambrani was abducted from his home in Kili Qambrani, Quetta.

January 17:

Two minors, Yousuf, son of Qasim, and Shah Nawaz, son of Habib, were taken from Gumazi, Kech, and released on January 20.
Muhammad Jawad, son of Qudratullah Qambrani, was abducted from Siwan Sharif Darbar, Sindh.
Ismail Baloch, his son Noor ul Salam, and Rozi Dil Murad, all laborers, were abducted from Bundeki, Mashkay, district Awaran.

January 18:

Akhtar Muhammad and Garibo were abducted in Mashkay.
Saeed and Ali Muhammad were taken away during a military operation in Bardi, Kalat.
Aslam son of Kanad Khan, from Hazar Ganji, Quetta, was detained while selling crops in Hazarganji and then taken to an unknown location.
Zubair from Tump was abducted by forces in Malir Jamgot.

January 19:

Yasir, son of Yasin, Hayat, son of Wali Muhammad, and Jalil, son of Abdul Khaliq were taken away during house raids in Panjgur.

January 21:

Abdul Karim, a 65-year-old visually impaired shepherd, and his two sons were abducted from Minaz, Buleda. They were released on February 6.
Fahad, son of Rashid, was whisked away from Gomazi, while women and children were severely abused during the raid.
Ayoub Pathan from Sarikan, Turbat, was forcibly disappeared from his home.

January 24:

Three youths—Zubair Baloch and Asim Baloch from Mastung, and Jawad Baloch from Khuzdar were disappeared from a checkpoint near Nushki on January 24, while they were traveling to the Baloch National Gathering in Dalbandin. The youths were tortured and harassed but were eventually released on January 30.

January 25:

Musafir and Meer Jan, sons of Elahi Bakhsh, were forcibly disappeared in Mashkay, Awaran. Their brother, Garibo, was abducted earlier on January 18 and remains missing.
Irshad, Siddique, and Zahoor, sons of Rahim Bakhsh, were forcibly disappeared during a raid in Issai, Panjgur.
Aslam Khetran and Balochi artist Nadi Ghulab Marri were detained in Barkhan Rakhni City. Nadi was released on February 1, and Aslam on February 3.
Shoaib and Bahadur, students from Gwadar’s Faqeer Colony, were forcibly disappeared and released on January 28.

January 26:

Zakir Somar and Naseem Hameed were detained from Ghati Dhor Chowk, Gwadar. Both were forcibly disappeared and released on January 29.
Naik Saal, Waju, and Doda, laborers from Mirabad, Turbat, were detained in Kulaho, Tump. They were released on January 31.
Taj Muhammad, a retired police officer, was abducted in Rarasham, Musakhel.
Zameer Sarwar, a student from Chahsar, Turbat, was detained from his home and released on February 2.

January 28:

Tariq, son of Haji Mahmood, and Halima, daughter of Dost Muhammad, were forcibly disappeared from Parom area of Panjgur. Both were released after several hours of abduction.

January 29:

Anas, a 15-year-old student was abducted from Ismailabad, Khuzdar. His family and community have protested for his release.
Shukla Bugti was forcibly disappeared in Chahtar, Naseerabad.
Khair Jan, a shepherd, and Niaz Ahmed were disappeared from Zeerkani, Jhaoo, Awaran.

January 30:

Muhammad Iqbal, son of Haji Mir Khan, and Zakir Yaqoob from Kodask, Khuzdar, were forcibly disappeared at a checkpoint on Panjgur Bypass. Both were involved in oil transportation. The forces also seized their vehicle and cargo.
Qambar, son of Mehrab, Murad Jan, son of Hakeem, and Dilshad, son of Allah Bakhsh, were shot while riding motorbikes in Apsar. Murad Jan died on the spot, while Mehrab succumbed to his injuries in Karachi on February 7. Dilshad remains missing.

January 31:

Bigo, son of Braham Bugti, was forcibly abducted by security forces from Bugti Colony, Sui, Dera Bugti.
Musadiq Baloch and Bashir Ahmed, a laborer, were abducted from their homes in the Laki area of Mashkay.

Other Incidents:

Excessive Security Checks Led to Tragic Death of Newborn

On January 6, a pregnant woman in critical condition was en route to the hospital when her vehicle was stopped at the Rakhni Customs Check Post for an inspection. The delay caused her to give birth on the roadside, and due to the freezing temperature, the newborn tragically did not survive. This incident underscores the dangerous consequences of excessive security checks, which put vulnerable individuals at risk.

Crackdown on BYC Ahead of Baloch Genocide Remembrance Day

From January 12 to 23, 2025, the Pakistani government intensified its crackdown on the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) as part of efforts to suppress the “Baloch Genocide Remembrance Day” event. Authorities banned public gatherings, suspended communication services in key areas, and deployed heavy security to seal off regions, including Dalbandin and Noshki. These measures were aimed at preventing peaceful rallies and intimidating the local population. In addition, security forces issued threats through pamphlets, conducted violent arrests in Lyari, and filed FIRs against BYC leaders. An assassination attempt on Sammi Baloch during a public rally in Hub City was also reported.

Targeting Educational Initiatives: The “Kitab Karawan” Crackdown

In January, Pakistani authorities targeted the Baloch Students Action Committee’s (BSAC) “Kitab Karawan” initiative, which promoted education and cultural awareness. Police raided book stalls in Taunsa, Naseerabad, Sibi, and Barkhan, harassing students, confiscating materials, and shutting down the events. On January 21, four students in Gwadar were arrested for setting up a bookstall, and their materials were seized. On January 27, the Border Military Police forcibly closed a book fair in Taunsa Sharif, threatening students with serious consequences.

Assault on Minhaj Mukhtar’s Home: State-Sanctioned Violence

On January 30, Pakistani forces and government-backed groups raided the home of Minhaj Mukhtar, a Balochi singer, in Tump around 1 AM. The attackers fired indiscriminately, threw grenades, and subjected the family to prolonged harassment and torture. This assault is part of a broader pattern of violence against Mukhtar’s family, who have previously endured state oppression.

Killings:

During January, 33 recorded killings occurred across Balochistan, with 27 victims being male and 5 female. The highest number of incidents took place in Kech (15 cases), followed by Panjgur (3), Khuzdar (2), Kalat (2), and one case each in Hub, Nushki, Jhal Magsi, Mashkil, Sibi, Awaran, Dera Murad Jamali, and Gwadar.

Nature of Killings:

Targeted killings were the most prevalent, accounting for 15 cases. Custodial killings (6), Bomb Blast (4), and honor killings (3) were also reported, while extrajudicial killings (3), staged explosions (1), and cases of recovered bodies (1) were less frequent.

Perpetrators:

Unidentified armed men were responsible for 10 cases, followed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which claimed responsibility for 11 killings. The Frontier Corps (FC) was linked to 5 cases, while state-backed death squads were responsible for 2 cases. Additionally, family members—including a brother, fiancé, and father—were responsible for one case each. Two cases involved unknown perpetrators.

Incidents:

On January 1, unknown armed assailants shot and killed a student, Inayatullah, in Turbat, Kech.
On January 2, Musarat Aziz, a social worker, was killed by his brother in Zhob. On the same day, a woman’s body, allegedly killed by her fiancé two weeks earlier, was recovered in Dera Murad Jamali.
On January 04, The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) carried out a blast on a forces bus in Turbat Bhamman, killing four individuals identified as Noor Khan, Abdul Wahab, Ijaz, and Liaquat Ali. Noor Khan and Abdul Wahab, sons of Muhammad Azeem, were from Dashti Kapakpar, while Ijaz was from Gishkaur, Liaquat Ali from Sohbatpur, and Abdul Wahab from Gwadar.
On January 6, Pakistani forces opened fire in Chagai, killing a young girl and injuring several others, including Afghan citizens.
On January 11, Zakria, a former enforced disappearance victim, was shot dead in Gwadar after his release.
On January 12, the BLA claimed responsibility for the killing of Jameel in Tump, accusing him of being a state agent.
On January 13, an explosion in Jusak, Turbat, killed Ittefaq (Afzal), whom police accused of planting a bomb. His family rejected this claim, stating he was forcibly disappeared in December.
On January 14, Muhammad, son of Razai, was abducted from his home in Mand, Kech, and found dead the next morning.
On January 17, the BLA claimed responsibility for the killing of Siraj Jatoi in Sibi, alleging his involvement in state-backed operations.
On January 25, Pakistani forces shot and killed Waheem in Mashkil while he was transporting cattle. Pindok, a victim of enforced disappearance, was tortured to death in custody in Awaran.
On January 28, a couple, Haq Nawaz and Hameeda, were shot dead in Khuzdar, while an honor killing was reported in Jhal Magsi.
On January 30, Qambar, son of Mehrab, Murad Jan, son of Hakeem, and Dilshad, son of Allah Bakhsh, were shot while riding motorbikes in Apsar. Murad Jan died on the spot, while Mehrab succumbed to his injuries in Karachi on February 7. Dilshad remains missing. additionally, a 10-year-old boy, Muhammad Abid, was found dead in Nushki, showing signs of severe assault. On the same day, Tariq Mengal and Muhammad Shakir were killed by the BLA, accused of being death squad operatives.
On January 31, mutilated human remains were recovered from a hilly area in Mangochar, with the victim yet to be identified.