A student was shot dead by armed assailants allegedly linked to a government-backed group in Buleda area of Balochistan’s Kech district.
The victim, identified as Rahim Jan, son of Anwar, was killed in his shop located in Sahib Khan Bazaar. According to reports, motorbike-borne gunmen entered the shop and opened fire on Rahim, killing him on the spot.
Rahim Jan was a student at Abdul Rahman Bazaar Campus of Saach School and was actively involved in social activities within the community. The local residents have condemned the attack, expressing deep sorrow and concern over the targeting of innocent and vulnerable people. They warned that such incidents are contributing to the growing instability in the region, making it unsafe for all sectors of society.
Local sources have indicated that the assailants belong to a government-backed militia group, which has been reportedly involved in several other killings and crimes in Bulida and surrounding areas. These groups are locally known as “death squads”.
Death squads have been accused of carrying out targeted killings, abductions, and other forms of violence against activists, students, and ordinary citizens who are perceived as opposing state policies or supporting Baloch nationalist movements.
The existence and activities of these death squads have been a point of contention, with human rights organizations frequently highlighting their role in the ongoing conflict in Balochistan. These groups are believed to operate with impunity, often targeting those who are socially or politically active in the region. The killing of Rahim Jan is seen as part of this broader pattern of violence, where government-backed groups are allegedly used to suppress dissent and maintain control over the region.