The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) has claimed responsibility for two separate attacks in Balochistan’s Panjgur and Turbat that killed four people combined. The group claimed that the individuals targeted in the attacks were “Pakistani agents” who spied on “pro-independence” groups and were involved in numerous social crimes.
There were reports of a clash between armed groups in the Basad area of Parome, Panjgur, where three individuals were killed and several others were wounded. Local sources reported that the gun battle began in the afternoon and lasted for several hours.
The BLF claimed responsibility for the attack in a media statement, claiming that its fighters had targeted a convoy of “Pakistani agents.” The group claimed that three individuals had been killed in the attack, including “death squad” leader Faqeerok.
The statement further read that the BLF fighters had carried out an intelligence-based operation in Parome where they had ambushed the convoy of “death squad” leader Faqeerok, who was killed along with two others. BLF claimed its fighters confiscated weapons and ammunition from the attack site, including an LMG, an RPG, and two AK-47s.
The BLF further said that Faqeerok, a former “pro-independence” fighter, had surrendered to the Pakistani security forces and joined hands with them. He was leading a “death squad”, a local militia comprising mostly of hardened criminals who work in liaison with the Pakistani security forces in targeting Baloch nationalists, activists, student leaders, and insurgents.
The group said that Faqeerok and his group spied on the Baloch “pro-independence” groups at the behest of Pakistani security forces. In exchange for their services, they were given a free hand in Panjgur, Baltagar, and Buleda, where they carried out ransom kidnapping, armed burglaries, and ran a major narcotics trafficking ring. He also harassed and spied on the families of Baloch insurgents, the group said.
The group warned that harsh punishment would be meted out to anyone caught working with the Pakistani forces. Furthermore, the group also warned locals to refrain from hunting in the nearby mountains, as the “death squads” often use hunting as an excuse to roam deep into the mountains and spy on Baloch “pro-independence” groups.
The BLF also claimed responsibility for a separate attack that killed an alleged Pakistani agent in Turbat. The group claimed in a media statement that the deceased, Peer Jan s/o Mian Dad, headed a “death squad” and worked for the Pakistani forces.
The BLF said that Peer Jan, also known as ‘Peero’, and his “death squad” were active in Buleda, Aapsar, Hoshap, and Guarkop areas where they actively assisted the Pakistani security forces in operations. They also abducted innocent Baloch people and handed them over to the Pakistani forces. Peero ran a torture house at his home where he tortured and killed dozens of detainees, the group said.
The BLF further said in the statement that Peero moved Baloch detainees between Turbat and Gwadar. He was responsible for the killing of Baloch journalist Raziq Gul, the group claimed.