Massive protests erupt amid alarming disappearances, extrajudicial killings rise

Large-scale protests have erupted across Balochistan after an alarming rise in cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances spanning different demographics in the region, the Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB) stated in a report. Notably, the month of November witnessed an alarming rise in cases of human rights violations throughout Balochistan.
65 incidents of enforced disappearances were recorded, spanning different demographics from under-age to disabled persons, newlyweds, students, doctors, shopkeepers, and labourers. 39 extrajudicial killings were reported, including 10 previously disappeared persons killed by state forces in fake encounters
Throughout the month, Balochistan witnessed a tragic toll with the loss of 39 lives, including five women, in various incidents. While 30 of the victims have been identified, the identities of 10 remain unknown.
One of the most disturbing occurrences that triggered widespread outrage and protests was the extrajudicial killing of ten Baloch students, previously reported missing but later killed by the CTD in a series of fabricated encounters, HRCB reported.
The first incident occurred on November 8 when CTD officials claimed the killing of three militants in an alleged exchange of fire in Khuzdar, with a significant cache of ammunition supposedly seized. However, investigations revealed disturbing details, including the identification of one victim, Aftab Sumalani, who previously disappeared by forces from Hazarganji Quetta on 11 August. Another victim, Abdullah, had been detained and disappeared by Pakistani forces two years prior, while the third victim, Hamza, also had a history of disappearance.
Later, on 19 November, police brought three more bodies to the Hoshap police station, claiming they were victims of a car explosion. Upon identification, it was revealed that these victims, Nabi Bakhsh, Adil Essa, and Shahjan Essa, were students who had been forcibly disappeared on August 22, HRCB reported.
Then, on October 23, the CTD again transported four bodies to Teaching Hospital Turbat, alleging their deaths occurred in an encounter on Banuk Chadahi Pasni Road.
One of the deceased, Balach, a tailor at Star Plus market and a resident of Absar in Turbat, was detained by the CTD from his home on October 29 in front of his family.
He was produced in the court on November 21, wherein, the court granted him a 10-day remand. During this period, his family met him, provided financial support, and witnessed legal proceedings, contradicting claims made by the authorities regarding his encounter death. The other three victims were identified as Saif son of Umeed, also a resident of Absor abducted on August 1 from his grocery shop, Shakur of Noor Jan, from Pulabad Kasano area of Tump abducted on June 25, and Wadood, son of Mubarak, a resident of Panjgur abducted from Army Camp on April 27 after being summoned.