Quetta, Balochistan: The families of four Baloch fighters killed in a June 6 clash with Pakistani military forces and “death squads” in Rukni, Barkahan, have decided to pursue legal action. This decision comes after the administration’s persistent refusal to hand over the bodies. Relatives of the deceased state that if the bodies aren’t released by 11 AM on Wednesday, June 11, they will file a petition with the High Court.
Sources indicate that the deceased include Mustafa Noor (Tasp, Panjgur), Samiullah (Malai Bazaar, Turbat), Rasan Qadir (Labach Dansar, Awaran), and Shahzaib (Goni Greshag). Their bodies were transferred from Rukni to Civil Hospital Quetta (formerly Shal) after the incident, but the administration has continuously delayed their handover.
The families reported that they waited for several days at Civil Hospital Quetta. However, on Tuesday, they were informed that the matter was with the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of the police. CTD officials stated that the bodies cannot be released without authorization from the Deputy Commissioner Barkahan and the local police station.
Human rights activists are condemning this act as a severe violation of human rights. They emphasize that, under the law, it’s the administration’s responsibility to immediately hand over the bodies of the deceased to their relatives after identification and necessary procedures. The families have made it clear that they will go to court if the bodies aren’t released by the stipulated time.
This isn’t the first instance in Balochistan where the bodies of victims have not been handed over to their families. Human rights organizations consistently condemn this practice, calling it a violation of fundamental human rights.
