Four Death Squad members gunned down in Balochistan

In an unending spate of violence in Balochistan, unidentified armed men opened fire in a house in Kharan, killing four people and injuring one. Two of the dead were identified as Shaikh Saleem and Saeed Islam, part of a local group.

Baloch sources say that the killed men are part of the infamous Death Squads – local militia supported by Pakistani spy agencies and military. Pakistan has been using the Death Squads to control Balochistan where a seven-decade long insurgency has been going on.

The attack has not been claimed by any of the Baloch rebels.

The Balochistan Post reports that “Sheikh Saleem was the key squad leader of Shafeeq Mengal’s death squad, who was active in enforced disappearances in Kharan and other areas of Balochistan as well”.

Managed by the Pakistani State, the Death Squads are illegal gangs that carry out killings, illegal abductions, torture and kidnappings on behalf of the Pakistani State. They also control activities like manning of check posts, smuggling of drugs, weapons and liaison with the Pakistani army to control the Baloch insurgency.

Also read: After Pakistani military and Chinese nationals, Balochistan rebels target notorious ‘Death Squad’ leaders

Balochistan remains in a spiral of violence. The nationalist rebels have been carrying out attacks on Pakistani forces and check posts. Earlier this week, a check post of the Pakistan Coast Guards was attacked by armed men in Gwadar.

The port city is also facing a protest over the last three weeks by Jamaat Islami (JI) leader Maulana Hidayatur Rehman under the banner of Gwadar ko Haq do, Gwadar Rights Movement. The protestors are demanding a ban on Chinese fishing trawlers in the Arabian sea.

Also Read: Exclusive: Baloch resistance is unfazed by Pakistan military’s death squads, says Ahmed Baloch, BNM foreign policy campaigner