“Turbat killings CTD case” : Baloch youth Balaach Mola Bakhsh allegedly killed by Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel, FIR registered

Four personnel of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Balochistan’s Kech district have been registered in a first information report (FIR) in connection with the alleged extra-judicial killing of a Baloch youth. The killing of Balaach Mola Bakhsh, who was taken into custody by the CTD, has sparked mass protests in Kech district.

The CTD claimed that the killing was a result of “armed clashes with militants” and that three more suspects were killed in the clash on Pasni Road in the north of Kech’s district headquarters, Turbat. However, Balaach’s family refuted the CTD’s claims and accused them of extrajudicially killing him. They demanded an impartial inquiry against CTD officials.

An FIR was registered against the CTD regional officer, investigation officer, SHO, and lock-up officer at the Turbat police station on the complaint of Mola Bakhsh, the father of the deceased. Mola Bakhsh stated that his son was forcibly taken away from their home on October 29 and produced before a court almost a month later. He held the CTD personnel responsible for his son’s killing.

Meanwhile, a procession comprising the deceased’s family, political party members, and civil society workers reached Khuzdar after being initially stopped by the local administration. The procession, which has been ongoing for 17 days, will hold a protest rally before moving on to Quetta. Family members have stated that they will stage a sit-in in the Red Zone area of Quetta until the arrest of the CTD officials and the formation of a judicial commission for an independent inquiry.

Balochistan caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai has warned that facilitation of terrorists is equal to terrorism and that abettors of terrorism will be dealt with sternly.

The alleged extra-judicial killing of Balaach Mola Bakhsh and the subsequent protests have raised concerns about human rights violations in Balochistan. The demand for an impartial inquiry and accountability of the CTD personnel involved in the incident is gaining momentum. The authorities need to address these concerns and ensure a transparent investigation to bring justice to the victim’s family and maintain public trust in law enforcement agencies.