The armed camp of Shafiq Mengal, the alleged head of the state-backed militias, locally known as a ‘death squad,’ has been relocated from Badri in Khuzdar to the Tootak area due to security concerns, sources told The Balochistan Post (TBP).
Reports indicate that Mengal’s group has established new checkpoints in Tootak, spreading fear among local residents. His name has long been associated with religious extremists and state-backed militias operations across Balochistan.
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State’s deadly weapon, Shafiq Mengal – The Balochistan Post report
Historical Atrocities in Tootak, Khuzdar
Tootak has a dark history linked to enforced disappearances and mass graves. On February 18, 2011, Pakistani forces launched an operation in the village, rounding up all male residents. While some were eventually released, 82-year-old Mohammad Rahim Khan Qalandrani and 16 members of his family remain missing to this day. Following the operation, the Pakistani state handed control of Tootak to Shafiq Mengal, who established a stronghold in the area.
Mengal allegedly set up torture cells within his camp, where innocent civilians were detained and subjected to brutal treatment. Eyewitnesses and local shepherds reported hearing the screams of detainees at night, and those who died under torture were buried in secret.
In 2014, mass graves were discovered in Tootak by a shepherd, uncovering over 100 bodies in advanced stages of decomposition. Only two bodies were identified, both belonging to individuals from Awaran, Balochistan. This discovery led to national and international condemnation, but no concrete action was taken against Mengal.
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Continued Fear and Uncertainty
With Mengal’s camp now relocated to Tootak, residents fear a repeat of past atrocities. The presence of heavily armed checkpoints has restricted movement and created an atmosphere of intimidation. Many locals worry that the region will once again become a hub for enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
Despite years of allegations and evidence against Shafiq Mengal, he remains a powerful figure in Balochistan, allegedly enjoying state support. The relocation of his camp signals a continued policy of militarization and repression in the region, leaving residents with little hope for peace.
The situation in Totak remains tense, and it is yet to be seen how this latest development will impact the already volatile security landscape in Balochistan.