Pakistani military forces have significantly increased their presence in Balochistan’s Kalat region, advancing both on foot and by vehicle with the support of state-backed armed groups known locally as ‘death squads,’ The Balochistan Post has learned.
According to local sources, military movements have been observed in areas including Harboi, Iskalkoo, Chuto, Chashma, Maimonki, Aab-e-Dok, and surrounding regions of Kalat. Notably, the populated area of Iskalkoo has seen heightened military activity, with soldiers setting up posts and digging trenches.
This surge in military presence follows a major attack on June 25, when a large number of armed men targeted multiple positions of the Pakistani paramilitary forces in Iskalkoo. The attackers captured two outposts and a camp protecting a gas field and a military base.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack. BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said the group’s fighters used heavy weaponry to ambush and capture the main checkpoint and its outposts. He claimed that at least eleven soldiers were killed as BLA fighters pursued them.
Additionally, spy planes were reportedly seen flying over the mountainous areas of Nushki on Thursday, further heightening tensions. There has been no official statement from authorities regarding these movements.
Balochistan has been in a state of conflict for more than two decades. The Pakistani government has attempted to quell the Baloch insurgency through various military operations and coercive measures. During this period, thousands of Baloch people have reportedly been killed or have become victims of enforced disappearances. Despite these operations, the insurgency in Balochistan persists, with its intensity showing no signs of decreasing.