Three men who had been missing for months were found dead in Barkhan district, Balochistan, in what many believe to be another case of extrajudicial killing. The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) claimed the men were killed in a gunfight with militants. But families and human rights groups allege it was a staged encounter.
CTD Operation Under Scrutiny
According to The Balochistan Post, the CTD said it carried out an operation early Monday in the Tang Kiryar area of Barkhan. The bodies of Abdul Rehman Buzdar, Fareed Buzdar, and Sultan Marri were later taken to the Basic Health Unit (BHU) hospital in Rakni. All three had reportedly been missing for months.
A CTD spokesperson said there was a gunfightduring the operation and weapons were recovered. But the victims’ families and Baloch activists rejected this claim. They alleged the men were executed after being kept in illegal custody for a long time.
Another Death in Awaran Raises Alarm
In a separate incident, a young man named Ghaus Bakhsh was found dead in Kolwah tehsil of Awaran district. Reports say he had been summoned to a nearby military camp shortly before his death. His body showed signs of torture, raising suspicions of a custodial killing.
Wider Pattern of State Violence Alleged
Rights groups and Baloch activists say these incidents reflect a growing trend of state violence. They point to similar cases in Dukki, Ziarat, and Quetta, where missing persons were later killed in controversial operations.
Activists claim this pattern shows a larger plan involving enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. They are calling for international pressure and independent investigations to stop the violence and hold those responsible accountable.
