Key Points
- A young man named Abid Baloch, previously subjected to enforced disappearance, was shot and injured in Turbat, Balochistan.
- The attack raises concerns about a new pattern targeting individuals who have been released after enforced disappearances.
- Similar incidents have occurred recently, including attacks on other Baloch activists and leaders who speak out against human rights abuses.
- Human rights organizations, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch and the Baloch National Movement’s Paank, have condemned the violence and called for thorough investigations.
- The Baloch National Movement’s Paank highlighted that this incident is part of a troubling trend in Balochistan, with attacks on previously disappeared individuals and activists.
Looma News
The recent shooting of Abid Baloch, a young man who had previously been forcibly disappeared, has brought to light a troubling new trend of violence in Balochistan. Abid was seriously injured in a shooting in Turbat, a district in Balochistan, where he was targeted by unknown gunmen. This incident has sparked alarm over a possible strategy aimed at silencing individuals who have been released after such enforced disappearances.
Abid Baloch was abducted by Pakistani security forces in March 2023 and held captive for ten months before his release. This shooting, which occurred near Mehr-e-Hotel in the Aapsar area, highlights a disturbing pattern of attacks against those who speak out against human rights violations in Balochistan. The violence is not isolated; similar attacks have been reported recently, including a close call in Singani Sar and another attack on August 17, 2024, involving Imtiaz Iqbal, another victim of enforced disappearance.
Human rights advocates, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch and the Baloch National Movement’s Paank, have voiced strong condemnation of these attacks. Dr. Baloch has called for immediate action to address the violence, noting that Abid’s shooting marks the third such attack in two months. Paank has also highlighted the alarming trend of targeting individuals who have survived enforced disappearances, urging Pakistani authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure accountability.
This ongoing cycle of violence and intimidation not only threatens the safety of individuals who have been subjected to enforced disappearances but also undermines efforts to address human rights abuses in the region. As these attacks continue, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive response to protect the rights and lives of those affected.
