Two Baloch refugees from the Bugti tribe of Balochistan were killed in a firing incident in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on Sunday, allegedly by the Pakistani intelligence agencies. They were identified as Gul Bahar Bugti and his son Murad Ali Bugti, both hailing from Dera Bugti district of Balochistan.
Sher Mohammad Bugti, the spokesperson of the Baloch Republican Party, confirmed the incident in a tweet. “Two Bugti #refugees from Dera Bugti Gull Bahar Bugti and his son Murad Ali Bugti were assassinated by #Pakistani intelligence operatives in #Kandahar, #Afghanistan today. @Refugees @amnesty”
He further said that the Baloch refugees continue to be attacked in Afghanistan, but refugee organizations have failed to pay heed to their plight.
Brahumdagh Bugti, Chairman of the Baloch Republican Party, condemned the killing of the Baloch refugees in Afghanistan, adding that the Pakistani secret state agencies enjoy “complete impunity” and no scrutiny whatsoever from the international community for their actions.
He said that Gul Bahar had already lost a son, a grandson and a nephew in various attacks by the Pakistani forces – this time, he himself became the target.
“Gul Bahar Bugti had already lost a son, a grandson & a nephew in attacks on Baloch refugees in Afg by Pak secret agencies in past. This time they attacked & killed him along with a son. The silence & inaction of @refugees & international orgs is shameful & a huge question mark”, he tweeted.
The spokesperson of the Baloch National Movement (BNM) also condemned the killing of the Baloch refugees, adding that the incident is just another episode of Pakistan’s “tyrannical” assault on the Baloch nation.
The spokesperson said that Afghanistan houses the largest number of Baloch immigrants in the world, and yet these immigrants are forced to live a tough life. He said that the ‘agents’ of Pakistan’s intelligence agencies have killed several Baloch refugees in the past. He resented that the major refugee rights organizations of the world, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, have failed to protect and help the Baloch immigrants.
He said that the Baloch refugees relocated to Afghanistan to protect themselves and their families from the “monstrosities” of the Pakistani state. By accommodating a significant number of Baloch refugees, Afghanistan is proving itself as a humanitarian neighbour. Despite being crippled by the “terrorism” of Pakistan for the past four decades, Afghanistan willingly absorbed the needy Baloch immigrants, he said.
The spokesperson concluded by saying that the international human rights groups must take notice of Pakistan’s “barbarity” on the Baloch immigrants.
It is pertinent to mention that a significant number of Baloch immigrants were forced to migrate to Afghanistan due to the prevailing situations in Balochistan. According to recent reports, these immigrants continue to face alarming insecurity in Afghanistan and are forced to live a life of helplessness.
Related:Baloch Immigrants Face Insecurity in Afghanistan
In March 2011, a bomb was detonated in front of the house of Gul Bahar Bugti in Boldak, Spain, in which his son Dar Khan Bugti. In December 2013, Bahar’s grandson Nihal Khan Bugti was also shot dead in Boldak, allegedly by ISI operatives.