Pakistan: Three missing men found dead with alleged torture marks in Balochistan

Three bodies recovered in Balochistan's Usta Muhammad have reportedly been identified as men who had earlier gone missing, with local sources alleging that they were forcibly disappeared after being detained by Pakistani security forces.According to The Balochistan Post, the deceased have been identified as Hafiz Mohammad Waqas, a Levies personnel from Machh in Bolan, his brother Mittha Khan, son of Nawab Khan, and Maqbool Ahmed, son of Jan Mohammad, a resident of Dasht Sabzband.Waqas was reportedly taken into custody and forcibly disappeared in May 2026. The three bodies were recovered from Usta Muhammad on August 24, according to local sources cited by the publication.The sources said the bodies bore apparent signs of torture. However, the circumstances surrounding their deaths have not been independently established, and no official findings from an investigation have been made public.The recoveries come amid reports of more than 15 bodies being found in different parts of Balochistan in recent days, including Panjgur, Mastung and Kharan. Several bodies recovered from Panjgur were allegedly identified as people who had previously been reported missing, while the identities of others remain unknown.The latest cases have renewed scrutiny of allegations of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, where rights groups and political organisations have for years raised concerns over the fate of missing people.Baloch political and human rights organisations have accused Pakistani security institutions of detaining people and, in some cases, killing them in custody before abandoning their bodies. Pakistan's authorities and security institutions have repeatedly denied involvement in enforced disappearances and allegations of extrajudicial killings.Rights groups and political organisations have called for credible and transparent investigations into the reported disappearances and deaths. They have also demanded that missing individuals be produced before courts, their families be informed of their whereabouts, and anyone accused of wrongdoing be subjected to due legal process.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.