Balochistan’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has reported that eight alleged terrorists were neutralized in operations in Quetta and Basima.
According to the CTD’s spokesperson, five were killed following an exchange of fire in the Basima area of district Washuk, with a subsequent search operation being launched for three escapees.
The second operation in Quetta resulted in the deaths of three individuals, allegedly affiliated with the banned group ISIS. The spokesperson further reported the recovery of Abu Bakr, a month-long abductee, as well as a cache of arms and ammunition at the operation sites.
Among the deceased in Basima, four were identified as Muhammad Yasin, Fahad Ali, Jamal Deen, and Obaidullah, while the fifth remains unidentified. Local sources claim that those killed in Basima had previously been in detention, leading to speculations of staged encounters – a charge the CTD has faced in the past. However, further verification of these claims is awaited.
Background on CTD Operations in Balochistan:
The nature of CTD’s operations in Balochistan has historically been contentious. Media reports and affected families have, at times, described certain operations as “staged,” a claim often refuted by official sources.
Baloch nationalist circles and human rights groups have voiced concerns over CTD’s modus operandi in the region. Prominent figures, like the leader of the Balochistan National Party, Sardar Akhtar Mengal, have publicly associated the CTD with actions historically linked to Pakistani intelligence and the army.
Recent incidents, such as the discovery of Ghulam Farooq’s body in Quetta a year after his reported abduction, have exacerbated these concerns. This event followed allegations from last July, where a reported encounter with nine individuals, labeled by forces as being affiliated with the Baloch Liberation Army, was later countered by investigations that these individuals had been previously detained and were among the region’s list of missing persons.
Such events led to public demonstrations, including a prolonged 50-day sit-in protest outside the Governor House in Quetta. This sit-in was concluded after assurances were made by Federal Minister Rana Sanaullah to address forced disappearances and alleged staged encounters.
These recent CTD operations have reignited concerns among families with missing members. Meanwhile, Human rights bodies and political groups continue to demand transparency and accountability from the CTD and associated agencies.