Pakistani security forces raided the home of renowned Balochi and Brahui singer, poet, and activist Professor Nosheen Qambarani in Quetta, reportedly assaulting family members during the operation.
The raid, carried out in the early hours of Friday, has drawn strong condemnation from political and human rights groups.
According to reports, personnel from Pakistani intelligence agencies and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) stormed the house in Killi Tarkhaam, located on Quetta’s Spini Road. Professor Qambarani was not present at the time.
Family members alleged that the forces violated the sanctity of their home, searched Professor Qambarani’s room, and harassed those inside.
Nosheen Qambarani’s sister, Afsheen Qambarani, said on social media that around 2 a.m., security personnel scaled the walls of the house and intimidated family members.
“They want to silence the voices speaking out against the enforced disappearances of our family members,” Afsheen Qambarani said.
Professor Nosheen Qambarani has been a vocal critic of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, particularly campaigning for the release of her brothers and other missing Baloch youth.
She is also a well-known singer in both the Brahui and Balochi languages.
Her brothers, Nasir Qambarani and Abdul Rehman Qambarani, were forcibly disappeared from their homes in Quetta on March 17 and March 19, respectively.
According to the family, eight members of the Qambarani family have been subjected to enforced disappearance in recent months.
Speaking at a press conference, the family demanded the immediate release of Nasir Qambarani and other missing persons. They warned that if their demands were not met within 24 hours, they would launch protests.
The raid comes amid a surge in enforced disappearances across Balochistan in recent days.
In Quetta, Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) central leader Bebarg Baloch and his brother Dr. Hammal Baloch were also forcibly disappeared.
In a separate incident, Dr. Ilyas Baloch, Vice Principal of Bolan Medical College and a psychiatrist, was detained during a late-night raid. His detention was later acknowledged, and he was transferred to prison.
Meanwhile, Saeeda Baloch, another victim of enforced disappearance, has also been taken into custody and moved to jail.
According to the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), many individuals are being placed on judicial remand without proper legal proceedings.
The BYC has announced a protest sit-in in Quetta today to demand justice and the safe release of the disappeared.