Karachi: Sindh Police and Pakistani security forces raided the home of award-winning human rights activist and Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC) central leader Sammi Deen Baloch in Karachi late at night, breaking down doors, ransacking the premises, seizing valuables, and harassing neighbours, according to a statement issued on social media platform X by the activist herself.
Sammi Deen Baloch stated that following a month-long campaign of continuous harassment against her, at approximately 1:00 AM, law enforcement and police personnel arrived at her home with the stated purpose of arresting her. According to her account, the raiding party comprised approximately 60 to 70 personnel, arriving in 22 vehicles, and included lady police officers among their ranks.
Sammi Deen Baloch confirmed that she was not present at home at the time of the raid. Despite confirming her absence, the personnel forcibly broke down the doors of her home and entered the premises, remaining inside for approximately five hours.
During the five-hour operation, security personnel conducted a thorough search of the entire house and took away all valuables present on the premises, including laptops, cameras, mobile phones, books, official documents, and jewellery.
In her statement, Sammi Deen Baloch raised sharp questions about the intent behind the operation.
“If their purpose was to arrest me, what was the reason for breaking down my doors after confirming my absence? What was the purpose of stealing valuable items from my home, vandalizing property, and subjecting my neighbours to violence and harassment? Under which law is all of this being carried out?” she asked.
She further stated that she had made it clear on multiple occasions that if any case exists against her, she is prepared to face it through legal forums. However, she said, raiding the home of a peaceful human rights activist in the darkness of night, terrorizing neighbours through violence and threats, and harassing her family clearly indicates that the purpose is not law enforcement, but rather to intimidate and silence her and her family.
Sammi Deen Baloch held Baghdadi Police, Lyari Police, and the Sindh government directly responsible for all damages caused to her home and for the consequences of this operation.
The raid took place just one day after the 17th anniversary of the enforced disappearance of Sammi Deen Baloch’s father, Dr. Deen Mohammad Baloch, who was forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces from Khuzdar on June 28, 2009, and has not been seen since.
Sami Deen Baloch has faced multiple cases registered against her in both Balochistan and Sindh. She has previously been arrested on multiple occasions by Karachi Police, but was subsequently released by the Sindh High Court each time.
