Report by Zirnoor Baloch
In December 2024 and January 2025, Balochistan witnessed the extrajudicial killing of five individuals, allegedly at the hands of state forces and affiliated “death squads”. The systematic targeting of civilians has escalated tensions in the region, prompting protests and raising concerns about human rights violations. Below is a detailed account of the incidents:
Incident Summaries
1. Naveed Baloch (Buleda, December 5-6, 2024)
Naveed was summoned to a military camp on December 5 in Buleda to discuss the case of his forcibly disappeared cousin. The next morning, his body was discovered in a vehicle, bearing severe torture marks. Naveed had actively participated in protests advocating for the safe release of his cousin and others from the area, leading his family to suspect state reprisal.
2. Zareef Baloch (Tump, December 26, 2024)
On December 26, paramilitary Frontier Corps personnel forcibly abducted Zareef from his home in Dazin, Tump, in front of his family. His body, bearing signs of brutal torture, including a severed tongue, was found the next day. When the family attempted to take the body for a post-mortem in Turbat, they were intercepted by security forces, who allegedly pressured them to bury the body quietly. Despite the burial on December 28, the family initiated a sit-in protest in Turbat, demanding justice and accountability.
3. Inayatullah Baloch (Turbat, December 30, 2024)
Inayatullah, a law student, was summoned by death squad operatives under the leadership of Yasir Bahram. Despite his reluctance and warnings from his family, he visited their location one final time. On his way, he was fatally shot in the head near the home of the death squad leader. Inayatullah had previously resisted pressure to collaborate with the death squad, a decision believed to have led to his killing.
4. Zakria Baloch (Gwadar, January 11, 2025)
Zakria, a levies force employee, was abducted on September 27, 2024, and released on November 13, 2024. However, on January 11, 2025, he was killed in a targeted shooting in Gwadar. The circumstances of his killing remain unclear, but his family alleges state involvement.
5. Itefaq Ahmed Baloch (Turbat Absar, January 13, 2025)
Itefaq Ahmed was forcibly disappeared on December 10, 2024. His body was found on January 13, 2025, in a staged explosion. He was reportedly killed near Turbat after being tied to explosives at the face and chest and detonated. The details surrounding his death point to a deliberate act of extrajudicial and inhumane killing.
Family Testimonies
The Story of Inayatullah Baloch
Inayatullah’s family revealed that he was under constant pressure from the death squad to collaborate with them. His mother, Hafiza, had explicitly warned him against visiting death squad leader Yasir Bahram. Despite avoiding contact for months, he decided to meet them one last time after persistent calls. On December 30, 2024, as he walked toward Yasir Bahram’s residence late afternoon, he was shot in the head near the Bahram’s home. The family believes that his refusal to cooperate sealed his fate.
The Struggle of Zareef Baloch’s Family
On December 26, 2024, security forces stormed into the Dazin area of Tump and abducted 40-year-old Zareef Baloch in front of his family. “They came into our home as if we were criminals,” his brother narrated. The following day, Zareef’s lifeless body, bearing signs of brutal torture—his tongue cut, body injected with unknown substances, and riddled with bruises—was discovered.
The family’s refusal to silently bury him led to a standoff. “We wanted justice. Instead, they blocked our roads, threatened us, and harassed us at every step,” said Zareef’s nephew. Despite these challenges, the family protested relentlessly, culminating in a sit-in at Turbat’s Shaheed Fida Chowk on January 3, 2025. “We were denied justice, denied even the chance to grieve in peace,” the family expressed during the protest.
Protests and Outcomes
The families of Naveed and Zareef Baloch joined forces to protest against these brutalities, blocking the D-Baloch road in Turbat. After prolonged negotiations with local authorities, they concluded their protest on January 4. 2025. However, their demand for justice remains unmet, as no investigation into the murders has been announced.
Conclusion
The recent killings in Balochistan highlight an alarming trend of state-sponsored violence and impunity. Families continue to face harassment, while the lack of accountability perpetuates a climate of fear. These incidents underscore the urgent need for independent investigations and international attention to address the ongoing human rights crisis in the region.