In a fresh case of brutality against the activists raising voice for the cause of missing persons, Pakistan intelligence agencies have abducted Sindhi youths from their houses. In a first incident, they raided the home of the late Razzaq Shar and forcibly abducted his son Bashir Shar on April 28.

They also assaulted the mother and sisters of Bashir who opposed the abduction. Explaining the ordeal, Bashir’s brother said that on August 16, 2020, he was also abducted along with Bashir and was alone released after over five months. Bashir, then 16-year-old minor, was implicated in terrorism cases and was incarcerated for over two and half years before being released on January 38, 2023. The only reason for their abduction was their acquaintance with the cause of missing persons. He said that he use to go to the camps for missing persons and participate in the protests.

He said that Bashir was not involved in activism and after his release, he left the city for work. Bashir recently returned for his brother’s marriage and was abducted by Pak intelligence.

Additionally, at 5 p.m. the same day, Sindhi Nationalist Darya Khan Brahmani from Karachi was also abducted by Pakistan intelligence agencies.

Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement, the Sindhi Nationalist organisation fighting for Sindh’s independence, has condemned the coward act of abducting Sindhi youths by Pak intelligence agencies and termed it as “state terrorism”. Chairman of the organisation, Sohail Abro urged the international organizations including international human rights organizations to take action against the violation of human rights in Sindh and Balochistan by the Pakistan Army, take notice and release the national activists.

Unknown assailants have carried out a brutal attack on a Shia mosque in northwestern Afghanistan, resulting in the tragic loss of at least seven lives, including that of a child.

The targeted mosque, located in Guzara District of Herat Province, became the scene of horror as two armed men on a motorcycle fired while Shia Muslims were engaged in their prayers.

Reportedly, among the victims of this senseless act of violence is the mosque’s imam, adding to the grievous toll of casualties. Additionally, several others have been reported wounded in the attack.

The Afghan Taliban regime and Herat’s security officials have yet to issue any statements regarding the incident. Moreover, no individual or group has come forward to claim responsibility for the assault, leaving the motives behind the attack shrouded in mystery.

This is not the first instance of such violence targeting the Shia community in Afghanistan. A grim reminder comes from a similar attack in December, where seven people, including two Shia clerics and four women, fell victim to an assault targeting a rickshaw in Herat’s provincial capital.

Shia Muslims constitute a minority in Afghanistan, primarily comprising members of the Hazara community. Despite being the poorest ethnic group in the country, accounting for approximately 22 percent of the population, they have frequently faced persecution and violence. Extremist groups, including the Daesh Takfiri terrorist organization, have been implicated in large-scale kidnappings and killings targeting the Shia community across Afghanistan.

Last year, Afghanistan witnessed another devastating attack on a mosque in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif, where a bombing orchestrated by Daesh claimed the lives of at least 31 worshippers and left over 80 others injured.

Sessions Judge of South Waziristan District Shakirullah Marwat, was abducted by the terrorists of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from Manji khel in Tank district, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Later his video was released in which he claimed that he was abducted by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and that if Pakistan Army and establishment accepts the demands of the terrorist organisation he would be released. He said, “Taliban brought me here from Tank, which is a jungle and war prone area. They have some demands and until those would not be fulfilled, I would not be released.”

Assuring his family, he said he was safe but would not be released until the abductors’ demand would not be met. He requested the Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court, Chief Justice of Pakistan, government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and government of Pakistan to fulfil the demands of the terrorists.

Meanwhile, the Pashtun activists has accused Pakistan Army of harbouring terrorism that led to the undesired incident. They also argued that the Pashtun Sessions Judge was abducted because of his ethnic identity.