Three individuals, previously reported missing, were found dead in Balochistan’s Balgathar area following a suspected car explosion on Sunday. According to a senior security official, the deaths were caused by a remotely detonated improvised explosive device (IED).
Local human rights groups and eyewitnesses, however, contest this account. They allege that the deceased – Mohammad Adil, Shahjahan, and Nabi Daad – were victims of enforced disappearance and were killed in a ‘staged’ car explosion.
The Baloch National Movement’s human rights department, Paank, in a statement, condemned the incident and referenced their August 2023 report documenting the disappearances of Nabi and Adil in Turbat city by Pakistani forces. Paank characterized these incidents as part of a disturbing “kill and dump” policy in Balochistan, highlighting serious ongoing human rights violations in the region.
Further details emerged from All Parties Kech, indicating that the vehicle involved in the alleged explosion was confiscated by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) from an individual in the D-Baloch area of District Kech, just days prior to the incident. Despite attempts, no formal complaint regarding this seizure was reportedly registered.
Gulzar Dost, convener of Turbat Civil Society, also contradicted the official explanation. He claimed the incident was a ‘staged’ bomb explosion, citing similar past incidents, including the abduction of one of the deceased from a lawyer’s office in Turbat.
This incident has reignited allegations against Pakistani security forces and CTD Police regarding their alleged involvement in ‘fake’ encounters involving missing persons. It highlights the ongoing human rights challenges in Balochistan, particularly regarding the treatment and fate of victims of enforced disappearances.