Three mutilated bodies were recovered from the Kohak area of Kalat district on Tuesday, with human rights groups and activists alleging the victims were killed in a “fake encounter” by Pakistani security forces.
A “fake encounter” is a term used for staged clashes in which individuals are executed and falsely presented as having died in combat with security forces.
Local sources said the bodies were found near Manguchar Dam with their facial features disfigured using acid, making identification extremely difficult.
It is worth noting that there have been multiple reported cases across Balochistan in which detainees have been killed in so-called “fake encounters.”
In many such cases, Pakistani security forces have claimed the deceased had ties to banned armed groups. However, later evidence has identified many victims as “forcibly disappeared persons.” Human rights defenders argue that numerous victims were civilians with no established links to militancy.
Human rights organizations and political parties have previously expressed grave concern over such incidents. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a Baloch advocacy group active since 2018 and formed in response to such state actions, has repeatedly called on international organizations to take notice of these “fake encounters.”