Islamabad, 14 June (H.S.): The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for a series of coordinated attacks across Balochistan, alleging that seven individuals linked to the Pakistani military were killed, including members of what it described as a military-backed “death squad.” The group also claimed to have destroyed an alleged safe house used by one of its targets.

The claims were made in a statement reportedly issued to the media on June 13 by BLA spokesperson Jeand Baloch. According to the statement, BLA fighters carried out operations in the districts of Kharan, Kalat, Nushki, Quetta and Shahrag, resulting in the deaths of six alleged military informants and one armed member of a so-called “death squad.”

The BLA alleged that some of those targeted were involved in assisting Pakistani security forces by identifying and handing over Baloch activists advocating independence for Balochistan. The group claimed such individuals were widely known in the province as members of military-backed death squads.

According to the statement, BLA fighters allegedly destroyed a safe house belonging to Hafiz Mumtaz, whom the group identified as a member of the death squad, in the Barshunki area of Kharan using explosives on the night of June 12.

The spokesperson further claimed that a resident of Kharan, identified as Samir Aulad Rafiq, had been taken into custody by BLA fighters. The group accused him of acting as an informant, participating in robberies, and being directly involved in the killing of former BLA fighter Ali Jan, also known as Sudis.

The BLA also claimed to have detained Tahir-ul-Chaudhry Mubarak from the Iskalko area of Kalat, alleging that he was an operative of Pakistan Army Military Intelligence who had been moving in disguise. According to the group, Mubarak admitted during questioning that he was an officer associated with the Pakistani military.

In another allegation, the BLA said its commanders killed a Pakistani soldier identified as Shoaib Mengal in Nushki. The group claimed Mengal had been in BLA custody for an extended period and was shot while attempting to escape on June 4.

The statement further alleged that BLA fighters had detained Taj Mohammad, son of Sultan Mohammad Samalani, from the Sukna Margat area of Shahrag last month. The group accused him of maintaining regular contact with a Pakistani military officer identified as Colonel Shaukat and claimed he received payments in exchange for providing information.

The BLA stated that what it referred to as a “Baloch National Court” had found Taj Mohammad guilty of treason and other serious offences against the Baloch national movement and sentenced him to death, a sentence the group claimed was subsequently carried out.

The spokesperson warned that, in the group's view, anyone accused of collaborating with Pakistani security forces would face a similar fate. He urged local residents not to cooperate with the military and described any support for actions against the Baloch nationalist movement as an unforgivable act of betrayal.

The claims made by the BLA could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate response from Pakistani authorities regarding the allegations at the time of reporting.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar