Jallad

The story of South Asian death squads is the story of rampant state terror. From Balochistan in Pakistan to Barisal in Bangladesh, military and paramilitary forces roam the streets under different names and in different formations. However, they carry the same toolbox of abuse: torture, rape, enforced disappearances and cold-blooded executions. These are units which are recognised and protected by the state - acting as part of regular security forces, shielded by black laws or emergency acts. Khalil argues that the existence of death squads and a politics of extrajudicial executions are…