Protests in Balochistan’s Turbat have entered their fifth consecutive day following an incident involving the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) that led to the deaths of four young men.
Demonstrators, including relatives of one of the deceased, Balach Baloch, have continued to gather at Shaheed Fida Chowk. They are demanding justice and calling for an end to what they allege are enforced disappearances and ‘fake’ encounters orchestrated by Pakistani forces.
The incident, which took place in the early hours of November 23 on Pasni Road in Turbat, has been labeled by protestors as a ‘fake’ encounter. The family of Balach Baloch contends that he was forcibly taken from his home on October 29 and was subsequently remanded for ten days following a court appearance on November 21.
The protests intensified on Saturday, marked by a significant march to the Sessions Court in Turbat, where demonstrators carried Balach Baloch’s body. This march coincided with a citywide market shutdown.
Additionally, a local court has ordered the filing of a case against specific CTD officials, but, as of yet, no case has been registered. Ongoing negotiations between district authorities and protestors have not yet led to a resolution.
Prominent activist Mama Qadeer Baloch, associated with the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP), joined the protests in Turbat to express solidarity. Concurrently, similar protests have been held in Quetta and other cities, with the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) announcing additional demonstrations in Karachi and Hub to protest against the alleged ‘kill and dump’ policy and ‘fake’ encounters in Balochistan.