Pakistan: Munir’s army accused of kidnapping as Balochistan teenager taken, raising fears of enforced disappearance

Teenager disappearance sparks renewed Balochistan protests

A teenager has reportedly been taken by Pakistani security forces during a late-night raid in the Reko area of Buleda, Kech district, according to his family. The incident has once again brought attention to the ongoing issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, where Quetta continues to host one of the world’s longest-running protest camps, The Balochistan Post reported.

Relatives told The Balochistan Post that a large group of security personnel entered their neighbourhood around 2:00 a.m. and surrounded the house of Lal Jan. Family members alleged that women and children were intimidated during the operation before Lal Jan’s teenage son was taken to an unknown location. They said no warrant or explanation was provided, leaving the family in shock and uncertainty.

Initially, the family chose not to speak publicly after local elders assured them the teenager would be released soon. But more than ten days have passed without any information about his whereabouts or condition, raising fears of an enforced disappearance.

The relatives also claimed that the teenager had been targeted previously. Last year, they said, the minor was beaten while grazing goats by an influential individual claiming ties with state institutions. Fearing reprisals and constrained by financial difficulties, the family did not file a complaint at the time. They are now appealing to authorities to disclose the reasons for the teenager’s detention and ensure his safe return.

Meanwhile, the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) said its protest camp outside the Quetta Press Club has continued for 6,056 consecutive days. The group reported that families of two men, Siraj Ahmed and Shahzaib, joined the demonstration this week, claiming the pair were detained by state personnel in the Sariab Customs area on December 29 and have not been seen since, as highlighted by The Balochistan Post.

VBMP said police have refused to register cases regarding the alleged disappearances, and senior officials have yet to provide any explanation. VBMP chairman Nasrullah Baloch told The Balochistan Post that the organisation will submit the cases to the relevant commission and provincial authorities and raise the matter in all possible forums. He demanded that the missing men be produced in court if any charges exist against them, emphasising that detentions must follow constitutional and legal procedures.

(With ANI inputs)