A complete shutter-down strike was observed in Zehri Bazaar on Friday in protest against the recent Khuzdar incident, where armed members of a so-called ‘death squad’ allegedly raided a house, assaulted its residents, and abducted a woman named Asma Jattak.
Relatives and local residents in Khuzdar have staged a sit-in on the main highway for over 29 hours and also carried out a protest rally in the city on Friday, demanding the immediate recovery of Asma Jattak. The blockade has resulted in the suspension of vehicular movement, causing disruptions in the region.
According to local sources, the armed group responsible for the attack operates with the backing of former Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri. Reports suggest that such state-backed militias, commonly known as ‘death squads,’ under the auspices of Pakistani secret services, have been actively involved in enforced disappearances, targeted killings of political activists, and illicit activities including drug trafficking.
Meanwhile, protests have also erupted in Hub Chowki, another key area of Balochistan, where demonstrators are voicing their anger against Asma Jattak’s abduction and the prevailing lawlessness in the region.
Despite growing outrage, district authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.