In Quetta, the identity of another individual from a recent Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) operation has been confirmed. Family members have identified the deceased as Atar Khan Bangulzai.
The family alleges that around 25 days ago, CTD personnel and agents from Pakistani secret agencies forcibly took Atar Khan from his home in Mastung. Following his disappearance, he was reportedly killed in a staged encounter in the past few days, according to the family’s statements.
Last week, the CTD announced that they had neutralized eight individuals in two separate intelligence-based operations in Balochistan. The first operation took place in the Basima area of the Washuk district, resulting in five casualties after an exchange of gunfire. During the second operation in Quetta, three individuals, allegedly affiliated with the banned group ISIS, were killed in an intense firefight.
However, there are emerging reports suggesting that the identities of all the individuals from the Basima operation match names from a list of previously disappeared individuals.
It is worth mentioning that the CTD has faced accusations of orchestrating ‘fake encounters’ in the past. Human rights organizations have claimed that the CTD has detained individuals only to later execute them in staged encounters, following periods of enforced disappearance.