ISLAMABAD: The government told the Supreme Court on Thursday that the army authorities wanted to try military officers allegedly involved in the missing Baloch case under the Army Act, 1952.

But a two-judge bench headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk observed that the court was only concerned about the identity of the accused for their role in enforced disappearances in Balochistan.

The apex court had ordered the Inspector General of Frontier Corps, Balochistan, to produce or provide particulars of the officers before the investigation officer, CID, Quetta.

At the last hearing, DIG of CID Feroze Shah had submitted a list to the Supreme Court, suggesting that witnesses or complainants had nominated Maj Moheen (Usama) for the alleged kidnapping of Shabbir Ahmed from Quetta; Maj Tariq and Maj Tahir for the alleged kidnapping of Ali Hasan from Khuzdar; Col Aurangzeb for the alleged kidnapping of Abdul Malik from Noshki; Col Naeem for the alleged kidnapping of Abdul Ghaffar Mengal from Khuzdar; Maj Mohammad Rafi Badini for the alleged kidnapping of Takari Abdul Wahid and Dad Mohammad from Mastung; Abdul Waheed, Syed Rasool of 73 Wing Ghaza Band Scouts Quetta for the alleged kidnapping of Meharullah from Quetta; and Subedar Momin Khan for the alleged kidnapping of Shams Baloch from Sariab, Quetta.

On Thursday, Additional Attorney General Shah Khawar told the court that the army authorities intended to try their officials under the Army Act because many of them had either reverted back to their parent units or retired from service.

But Justice Mulk observed that the officers could clear their position by recording their statements before the DIG, CID, if they consider themselves to be innocent.

The court directed the interior secretary to appear in person on Feb 20.