Pakistani army personnel attacked Baloch protesters protesting against forced disappearances of their family members in Quetta. The Pakistani army has been accused of causing forced disappearances and custodial torture of Balochs in Pakistan in the name of fighting ‘terrorism’ and ‘insurgency’.
Activists protesting on Quetta’s Sariyab Road this week alleged that police attacked and lobbed tear-gas shells at them while they were ‘peacefully protesting’ and said that several protesters were injured.
Kin of Zaheer Baloch, who has been missing since June 24 and which his family suspects is a case of forced disappearance, organised the protest. Those who participated in the protest were attacked by the Pakistan army.
A large number of protesters, who said they were illegally arrested, were taken to an undisclosed location. They were also attacked by the army when they were protesting.
Baloch nationals demanding answers from authorities on forced disappearances have been protesting since June 2024, triggered by the disappearance of Zaheer Baloch. However, no government official or agency has issued a response.
Forced disappearances of Baloch people in Quetta region has been going on for many years and some Baloch residents have been missing for many years.
Indian government sources speaking to CNN-News18 said that Pakistan talks about global human rights while “their in-house developments are shocking”.
“(A) large number of Baloch have been missing for decades and the government never responded,” the aforementioned people said.
The government sources said that Balochs in Pakistan are “put into Exit Control List” and are “prisoners” in the country.
