A comparatively new trend is being witnessed regarding highhandedness of Pakistani security forces and “death squads’’ backed by them in many areas of Balochistan. The families of armed rebels, as well as those of the human rights activists affiliated to Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC), are being targeted in large numbers. In the last fortnight, there have been several reports of security forces personnel threatening the families of dire consequences if their wards did not give up their activities, be it armed rebellion or peaceful protests against Pakistan.
In the latest such episode, Pakistani security forces have allegedly abducted the father and brother of Saddam Baloch alias Wadood, a ‘fidayeen’ the Baloch Liberation Army’s (BLA) Majeed Brigade, during a late-night raid carried out on Wednesday in Bolan Dhadar area. Local sources reported that a large contingent of forces surrounded the village of Mashkaf, scaled the walls of the house, and stormed the premises, according to The Balochistan Post.
Gulzar Mohammad Shahi, Saddam Baloch’s father, and one of his sons were reportedly beaten and taken into custody before being moved to an undisclosed location. Their whereabouts remain unknown.
The BLA’s Majeed Brigade is known for carrying out high-profile attacks on security installations, and Saddam Baloch, also known as Wadood, was previously named by the group in one of its suicide operations. He was among the 13 slain BLA fighters in the group’s historic “Operation Dara e Bolan’’. The operation resulted in the hijacking of the Jaffar Express train, which resulted in the death of several soldiers over a week of intense fighting.
The raid and subsequent enforced disappearance of family members of a deceased BLA member have sparked concern in the area, with residents describing the operation as aggressive and traumatising for the family. The two detainees were reportedly beaten up and tortured before being whisked away by personnel of the Pakistani security forces.
Some days ago, the Pakistani security forces had abducted the father and other family members of a BYC activist Dr Sahiba Baloch. Those left behind were told by the abductors that the persons being whisked away would be released only if Sahiba surrendered before the security forces and gave up her activism. It needs to be mentioned here that Sahiba is considered someone who organised large-scale protests in many areas of Balochistan after Dr Mahrang Baloch and other BYC activists were arrested on March 22.
A United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Mary Lawlor had urged Pakistani authorities to stop harassing Baloch activist Dr Sabiha Baloch and her family. In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Lawlor said she was “deeply concerned” by reports that Sahiba faced imminent arrest. She also condemned the reported detention of Dr Baloch’s father, describing it as retaliation for her political and human rights work.
“Authorities in Balochistan must end their retaliation against her and ensure she is free to protect, defend and promote human rights,” Lawlor said.
Sahiba had said more than once in the recent past that these tactics of intimidating family members of human rights activists is a new low Pakistani security forces have been indulging in.
Meanwhile, protest rallies were held in the Khuzdar and Washuk districts of Balochistan on Wednesday against the ongoing crackdown on the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, including the arrest of its leadership and alleged mistreatment of BYC members. In Khuzdar, the BYC’s Jhalawan Region organised a rally in which a large number of women and children joined the demonstration, which marched from Kund High School to the Jhalawan Complex, chanting slogans calling for an end to the crackdown.
