After a recent attack in Turbat, Balochistan, which resulted in the fatal shooting of six non-locals, a joint investigation has been initiated.
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has confirmed the registration of a case at the Makran police station, covering charges of murder, attempted murder, and ‘terrorism’.
Jawad Ahmed Dogar, the Additional Inspector General of Police, arrived in Turbat post-incident and announced the formation of a multi-agency investigation team. This team, which includes officials from the CTD, Special Branch, and other agencies, will probe the incident.
It should be noted that in the early hours of Saturday, six individuals were killed in a raid in Turbat’s Satellite Town. Armed men stormed a compound, opening fire on its inhabitants. The deceased were identified as Rizwan, Shahbaz, Waseem, Shafeeq Ahmed, Mohammad Naeem, and Sikandar—all from Punjab. Two others sustained injuries, while a minor present in the compound was left unharmed.
Following the incident, the injured were airlifted to Multan for medical attention. After completing legal formalities in Quetta, the bodies were airlifted to their native places on Sunday morning.
In response, the Caretaker Chief Minister of Balochistan, Ali Mardan Domki, suspended the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Kech district, citing negligence. The Chief Minister has also called for a comprehensive examination of the event and expects a detailed report.
In a related development, the spokesperson for the Baloch Liberation Army, Jeeyand Baloch, claimed responsibility for the attack in a media statement. He said that the operation was based on intelligence reports from BLA’s intelligence wing suggesting the presence of informants and agents of the Pakistani military operating from a residential compound in Turbat city.
Jeeyand Baloch said these individuals had been seen frequenting Pakistani military camps and purportedly using military-associated vehicles. They were allegedly involved in spying activities for the “occupying forces” and collaborated with supposed death squad members, even offering them hideouts.
He also warned local contractors, hoteliers, and landlords in the region to refrain from aiding or providing facilities to individuals linked with the Pakistani military, cautioning that those found doing so would be held accountable.
It is pertinent to mention that accusations have repeatedly surfaced about the Pakistani military’s adoption of unconventional tactics to counter insurgent groups in Balochistan, ranging from leveraging religious extremism to the formation of local death squads. In the midst of this, instances have emerged that point towards the use of undercover agents, often disguised as everyday workers or even beggars, embedded deep within the region to gather intelligence.
A significant revelation of this tactic came to light after Captain Qadeer Ahmed died in a 2018 car accident. Following his death, the Pakistan army publicly acknowledged his covert activities. He had spent three years undercover as a beggar on the streets of Balochistan, illustrating the extreme lengths parties take in conflict, often blurring lines of identity.