Balochistan Awami Party leader Agha Habib Shah was killed in a bomb blast in the industrial city Hub Chowki on Sunday evening. Shah’s vehicle was blown away with an IED, near the Shakir Hotel in Hub Chowki, killing Shah on the spot and critically wounding his two bodyguards. The guards were moved to the Civil Hospital for treatment.
Shah was accused of leading an armed group under the patronage of Pakistani intelligence services — locally known as “death squads”.
Baloch “pro-independence” group, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack. In a media statement, BLA said that members of its Special Tactical Operation Squad carried out the attack that killed the BAP leader.
“Habib Shah abandoned the Baloch freedom struggle and surrendered before the enemy forces in 2016. Since then he was heading a death squad in Kalat under the patronage of Zia Langove”, BLA said in the statement.
BLA said that Shah had been involved in espionage, enforced disappearances and military operations against Baloch “pro-independence” groups in Kalat and its environs that resulted in the “martyrdom” of several BLA fighters.
The “pro-independence” group said that we will not spare anyone who is found guilty of working against the Baloch cause. “We also warn Levies personnel to avoid providing protection to state agents like Habib Shah or they will be responsible for their losses”, BLA said.
The group also claimed responsibility for the attack on the residence of Kohi Khan Mengal in Kalat. Two of his security guards were injured in the attack.
“BLA’s operations against occupying forces and its agents will continue”, the group reiterated.
Balochistan Home Minister Zia Langove condemned the killing of Agha Habib Shah and said that Shah’s “meritorious services” for Balochistan and Pakistan will not be forgotten. He said that Shah’s death has empowered our fight against the “enemies of peace and stability in Balochistan.”
Langove said that we share the grief of Habib Shah’s family – those seeking to “sabotage the peace in Balochistan will be annihilated”, he said.
He asked for an immediate report on the incident. He also directed the law enforcement agencies and security forces to investigate the incident and corner the perpetrators. He said that the culprits cannot hide from the law; they will be cornered soon.