Two Women, two children reportedly go missing after Quetta raid in Balochistan by Pakistani forces

The raid was reportedly carried out at around 4 am on August 19, when security personnel entered the house and detained the four family members, who are from Mastung. Their whereabouts have remained unknown since, according to the report.

According to the report, the two women were identified as 27-year-old Umaira and 28-year-old Najma, both daughters of Abdul Rasool and described as housewives. Also reported missing are eight-year-old Parisa, a Montessori student and daughter of Man Dost, and one-and-a-half-year-old Zakir, son of Abdul Haq.

The Baloch Women Forum (BWF) has condemned the reported disappearances, saying the four have been denied contact with their relatives since they were taken from the house.

In a post on X, the group described the incident as "the brutal reality of enforced disappearances in Balochistan" and said women and children were also being subjected to such alleged disappearances.

The BWF said the reported disappearance of one-and-a-half-year-old Zakir was "particularly horrifying", arguing that it demonstrated that even women and infants were not being spared.

The group further said that taking minors without a transparent and lawful judicial process constituted a serious violation of their fundamental rights and the legal protections owed to children.

Calling for immediate action, the Baloch Women Forum demanded the "immediate and safe recovery" of all four and urged authorities to publicly disclose their whereabouts.

Balochistan has for years witnessed allegations of enforced disappearances involving activists, students, political workers and civilians.

Rights groups and Baloch organisations have repeatedly raised concerns over alleged detentions and lack of information about detainees. Pakistani authorities have rejected or disputed several such allegations, citing security concerns and counter-terrorism operations in the region. (ANI)