Reports from Balochistan indicate a continuing wave of enforced disappearances and military operations across multiple districts, alongside protests by families demanding the recovery of missing persons.
In Khuzdar district’s Zehri area, Pakistani armed forces reportedly conducted a series of raids near Gazzan, during which residents were subjected to violence and several individuals were taken into custody. According to local sources, the operation—part of a broader military campaign that began in late September—has led to the detention and transfer of numerous civilians to undisclosed locations.
Five days ago, forces allegedly raided the homes of relatives of Rashid Hussain, who himself has been missing since 2018. During the raid, his cousin, Manan Qadir son of Abdul Qadir Meerozai, was among those detained and taken away. While most of the detainees were later released, Manan Qadir reportedly remains in the custody of Pakistani forces.
Witnesses claim that during the raid, security personnel opened fire and physically assaulted women and children. The military operation in Zehri follows last month’s aerial strikes and drone attacks, which, according to local sources, resulted in the deaths of several civilians, including women and children.
In Quetta, families of two forcibly disappeared students, Wahab Baloch and Nazir Ahmed Baloch, held a protest outside the Quetta Press Club demanding their immediate recovery. The two were allegedly detained by Pakistani military personnel from their home in Essa Nagri, Brewery, on 17 October 2025. Protesters held banners calling for an end to enforced disappearances and urged authorities to provide information about the missing students’ whereabouts.
Reports suggest that police attempted to disperse the demonstrators, but the families continued their peaceful protest despite intimidation. They appealed to the government, judiciary, and human rights organisations to intervene and secure the release of their loved ones.
Meanwhile, the protest camp organised by Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) in front of the Quetta Press Club has reached its 5,977th day. VBMP Executive Committee member Niaz Mohammad led the camp, which was joined by families of other disappeared persons, including Nasida Baloch, the sister of missing Sagheer Ahmed and cousin of Iqrar Baloch.
Nasida stated that Sagheer and Iqrar were taken into custody by personnel of Pakistani military from the Ormara checkpoint while travelling by bus from Awaran to Karachi, after which they were forcibly disappeared. She said that despite pursuing peaceful and legal efforts for years, the families have yet to receive justice or any official information about their missing relatives.
According to VBMP’s Niaz Mohammad, the organisation has submitted details of both cases to the provincial government and the Commission on Enforced Disappearances, which has reportedly initiated legal proceedings and instructed relevant institutions to ensure the recovery of the two men. However, he added that neither Sagheer Ahmed nor Iqrar Baloch has yet been recovered, nor have their families been informed of their condition or whereabouts.
In a separate development, a man identified as Mir Yousaf Ali Qalandrani—previously reported missing after allegedly being taken from Karachi on 17 August 2025—has been brought to light. Reports indicate that he has been detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) and transferred to Khuzdar Central Jail. Two of his brothers have reportedly been missing since 2014, with no information on their fate to date.
Human rights organisations and civil society groups have long described enforced disappearances as one of the most persistent human rights challenges in Balochistan. Despite repeated calls from local and international bodies for accountability and transparent investigations, the practice reportedly continues with little judicial oversight or official acknowledgement.