According to reports, Pakistani forces have launched a large-scale ground and air operation in different areas of Gichk in Panjgur district of Balochistan, as a result, several people, including women and children have been reportedly abducted so far.
The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) said in a statement that the enforced disappearance of Baloch women and children from Panjgur is a matter of concern and an unconstitutional, immoral and inhumane act which needs to be condemned.
“We urge the government to take notice of this immoral act and take action against those responsible by saving the women and children,” statement read.
As per the reports, the military operation in Gichk, Panjgur was launched recently, which has been extended to other neighbouring towns. There were also reports from locals that the Pakistani army had buried two bodies under its supervision, yesterday. At the same time, locals also said that the bodies were burnt.
According to sources, seven women along with 11 children have been taken into custody and shifted to an unknown location, while wheat and other fields, including the houses of eight people were set on fire by the forces.
Missing women and children are identified as, Maryam, Muharram, Mahal, Mah Gul, Razia, Jamati, Begum, 14-year-old Shakila, 6-year-old Jamila, 12-year-old Khairina, 6-year-old Sabrina, 1-year-old Adeela, 8-year-old Zubair and 7-year-old Sameer. They include six-year-old Shahdad, four-year-old Shahram, two-year-old Shantul and another two-year-old child.
Sources told TBP that the houses of Bahram, Beem, Pinduk, Sardo, Mian, Shambo and Murad Bakhsh were set on fire by the forces.
The area is under siege by the forces while timely access to information is not possible due to the closure of the communication system.
On the other hand, Voice for Baloch Missing Persons has also appealed to provide full details of the missing women and children from Panjgur to the organization so that it can effectively take up the issue with the government and other concerned groups.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s (HRCP) Special Task Force Turbat, Makran has expressed deep concern over the news of the abduction of women and children and said, in Balochistan the issue of human rights has been on the rise for many years and its intensity is increasing day by day.
The spokesperson of HRCP said that The organisation condemns the abduction of women and children in Panjgur and considers it an inhuman and unconstitutional act and demands immediate release of the arrested women and children. “A serious consideration should be given to the deteriorating human rights situation in Balochistan, changing of attitudes and taking steps to ensure civil liberties is needed,” he added.