Eight Baloch Civilians Forcibly Disappeared Amid Rising Human Rights Violations in Balochistan

December 13, 2025

Quetta: Amidst a surge in enforced disappearances in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, at least eight Baloch civilians have been forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security forces, a prominent human rights organization reported on Saturday.

Citing local sources, Paank, the human rights department of the Baloch National Movement, stated that several civilians—primarily young men—were detained during a raid conducted by Pakistani forces in the Khuzdar district on December 10 and have since been forcibly disappeared.

Identities of Disappeared

The disappeared individuals have been identified as Arif Hambal, Zamir Ahmed, Zahid Ahmed, Bashir Ahmed, Zahoor Ahmed, Abdul Malik, Shah Nawaz, and Irfan Hussain.

Expressing deep concern over the recent military operation conducted by Pakistan in the Grisha area of ​​Khuzdar, the human rights organization expressed solidarity with the affected families and pledged to “document and raise awareness” about the ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan.

Highlighting the atrocities in Balochistan, another human rights organization, Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ), reported that Pakistani forces fired several mortar shells at the civilian population in the Awaran district, injuring at least seven people, including children.

Panic Erupted in Awaran Market

Citing witnesses, BVJ said the shells landed in Awaran’s main market, where families were present, causing panic among residents engaged in their daily activities.

Condemning the incident, the organization emphasized that this attack reflects a persistent pattern of the use of force against unarmed civilians in Balochistan.

Intervention of International Organizations

“Women and children are the most affected in these operations. The communities of Awaran have already faced repeated raids, checkpoints, and enforced disappearances. The use of heavy weaponry in a populated market demonstrates a blatant disregard for civilian safety and basic humanitarian standards,” BVJ said. The human rights organization called on international human rights institutions to intervene immediately, stating that an independent and transparent investigation is necessary to identify those responsible for the shootings.

BVJ further added, “All those injured must receive immediate medical assistance. The safety of civilian areas must be ensured under all circumstances. The international community should monitor the situation in Awaran and pressure the state to end its violent actions against the Baloch population.”