In the southwestern province of Nimruz in Afghanistan, the Taliban forces reportedly raided several houses belonging to Baloch refugees and detained seven individuals, including a senior leader, in what appears to be the recent episode in allegedly government-backed attacks on Baloch immigrants. Two others were also wounded during the raids and women and children were also harassed.
According to the details, the Taliban raided several houses in Nimruz and arrested seven Baloch refugees, including senior leader Malik Khan Muhammad Marri. The detainees were moved to an undisclosed location and their condition remains unknown.
Baloch refugees have been targeted in Afghanistan in similar attacks in the past, but such incidents have increased since the Taliban took power earlier in August. A few days ago, two Baloch refugees were wounded when unknown assailants opened fire on them in Nimruz. Before this, the Taliban forces had attacked Baloch refugees in Kandahar and forcefully took over their houses, vehicles and other possessions.
The conflict between Baloch “pro-independence” groups and the Pakistani security and intelligence forces has pushed thousands of stranded families into neighbouring Afghanistan, where they live as refugees. According to one estimate by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, more than fifty thousand Baloch migrated to Afghanistan due to the rampant military operations in Dera Bugti and Kohlu. Numerous others have followed the same path over the years.
Baloch refugees residing in Afghanistan faced a similar security threat when the Taliban took control of the country in the 1990s. They were frequently targeted in attacks, which forced the majority of them to return to their homes in war-torn Balochistan. Now that the Taliban are once again at the helm, history is repeating itself. The Baloch refugees are once again stuck between a rock and a hard place.