Pakistani security forces have reportedly forcibly disappeared the Vice Principal of Bolan Medical College, Dr Ilyas Baloch, during a night raid in Quetta, Balochistan’s capital.
According to local sources, multiple locations, including student hostels, were raided late on Wednesday. Students reported being harassed as forces searched rooms.
Dr Ilyas Baloch, a well-known psychiatrist, was detained from Doctor Colony and taken to an undisclosed location. His whereabouts remain unknown.
The Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) condemned the enforced disappearance, describing it as a “blatant violation of fundamental human rights.”
“Dr Ilyas Baloch, a respected medical professional and senior psychiatrist, was abducted from Doctor Colony last night,” the HRCB said in a statement. “His repeated targeting reflects a deeply concerning pattern of persecution against Baloch professionals.”
HRCB added that Dr Baloch was previously arrested in 2020 in Quetta and later released. “The enforced disappearance of a senior psychiatrist and educator not only endangers his life but also deprives the community of essential healthcare services,” the group said.
The rights group called on Pakistani authorities to “immediately disclose his whereabouts and ensure his safe release.”
The incident comes amid a wider wave of enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
On the same night, Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Bebarg Baloch and his brother Dr Hammal Baloch were also abducted from their home in Quetta’s Sariab area. Both were taken by personnel from the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) at around 5am, according to the BYC.
Separately, four people were reportedly detained during house raids in Mastung district. They were also taken to unknown locations.
The BYC condemned the abductions and the ongoing harassment of Baloch activists and families of missing persons and announced a protest at 3pm today in front of Balochistan University in Quetta.
“Last night, our leader Bebarg Baloch and his younger brother Dr. Hammal Baloch were forcibly disappeared by the CTD from Sariab,” the BYC said. “Meanwhile, families of missing persons who had gathered at Quetta Civil Hospital to claim the bodies of their loved ones faced violence.”
The BYC claimed the families were initially handed the bodies. However, as they tried to leave, police and local officials attacked them. Some relatives were arrested.
“We fear the authorities will attempt to sabotage our peaceful protest,” the BYC said. “We remain committed to raising our voices peacefully, but the state and local administration will be responsible if any harm comes to our members.”
Nushki: Young Man Abducted, Three Minors Among Those Released
Meanwhile, one young man has been forcibly disappeared in Nushki district, while four others, including three minors, were released.
Local sources said that on March 19, security forces raided a house in Killi Jamaldini during the early hours and took Altaf Jamaldini into custody. He was moved to an undisclosed location.
Family members said the forces vandalised the house and assaulted women and others present during the raid.
Three boys, previously abducted from Nushki Station, have since been released. They were identified as 14-year-old Adnan, son of Hayat; 15-year-old Zia-ur-Rehman, son of Meer Ahmed; and 14-year-old Liaquat, son of Abdul Khaliq.
The minors were reportedly held with several others and released after being detained for days.
Shakeel, son of Abdul Latif, a resident of Qaziabad who had been missing since January, was also released.