Over 20 Baloch Civilians Killed in Alleged Firing by Pakistani Forces, Rights Group Says
QUETTA, Pakistan — More than 20 Baloch civilians, including women and minors, were killed and several others injured following alleged direct firing by Pakistani security forces in Balochistan’s Nushki and Kharan districts, according to a leading human rights organization.
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) said those killed included Atta Ullah, Shahzaib Baloch, and Hassan Basri. Among the injured were Nisa Khatoon and Ameen Ullah, who were reportedly wounded during alleged direct firing on February 13.
According to the rights body, Pakistani security forces also fired on a passenger vehicle near Cadet College in Nushki, killing about 10 civilians. In a separate incident near the same location, an ambulance transporting a female patient was allegedly targeted, resulting in six casualties, including the driver.
The BYC said that beginning January 31, Pakistani forces carried out drone strikes in multiple areas of Nushki, including Qazi Abad, Kili Jamaldini, Jamalabad, Qadir Abad, Ahmed Wal, and surrounding localities. The organization noted that many incidents remain undocumented due to communication disruptions in the region.
Among the reported victims was a three-year-old child, Deedag, son of Manan and a resident of Kili Jamaldini, who was allegedly killed during one of the drone strikes.
“Several other fatalities and injuries were alleged; however, due to restricted communication and prevailing fear, comprehensive verification remains limited,” the BYC said.
The rights group said the human rights situation in Nushki and Kharan deteriorated sharply throughout February.
“The period was marked by a significant surge in serious violations, including enforced disappearances, direct firing on civilians, alleged drone strikes, demolition of residential properties, arbitrary detentions, communication blackouts, prolonged curfews, and strict movement restrictions,” the BYC said.
“The abrupt imposition of curfew by security forces gravely disrupted civilian life, restricted access to medical care and education, and instilled widespread fear among the population,” it added.
According to the organization, enforced disappearances in Nushki rose to unprecedented levels during the period, with the number allegedly exceeding the hundreds. In Kharan, more than 50 individuals were reportedly subjected to enforced disappearance by Pakistani security forces.
The BYC said families of the victims were threatened and warned by authorities not to speak out publicly, with intimidation that they could permanently lose their sons if they pursued the cases.
“In several instances, families were also told that their sons would be released only if they remained silent and refrained from speaking out. In many cases, families in Kharan were summoned by security forces and instructed to present their sons, upon doing so, the young men were arrested on the spot and subsequently taken to unknown locations,” the organization said.
“The increasing number of disappearances has contributed to widespread psychological distress and heightened insecurity within the community,” it added. (Source: IANS)
