The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a Baloch “pro-independence” group, has claimed responsibility for the execution of Haji Jalal Sumalani, who was accused of collaborating with Pakistani forces, and for carrying out attacks on security forces in Panjgur.
In a media statement, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand said that Sumalani was detained last month in the Marwaar, Sari Kach area. During interrogation, Sumalani allegedly confessed to forming a ‘death squad’ at the behest of Colonel Mudassir, which was armed and financed by Pakistani army. He allegedly admitted that dissenting tribal members were forcibly disappeared and tortured by Pakistani forces.
The spokesperson also stated that Sumalani was tried and sentenced to death for treason by the ‘Baloch national court’ and that the execution was carried out recently in Harnai.
Furthermore, the BLA claimed responsibility for two grenade attacks on Pakistani security posts in Panjgur on Monday evening. The first attack targeted a checkpoint in Chitkan, injuring at least two soldiers, and the second resulted in one death and additional injuries at a post near the Rakhshan River.
The BLA vowed to continue targeting Pakistani forces and its collaborators. There has been no immediate response from the ISPR to the BLA’s statement.