A violent raid by an alleged state-backed armed group, commonly referred to as a “death squad”, was reportedly thwarted late Saturday night in the Ornach area of Khuzdar district, local sources reported.
According to reports, the armed group stormed a house in an apparent attempt to abduct a young man. However, the family members fiercely resisted the kidnapping attempt, forcing the assailants into a chaotic retreat.
Sources said that during the resistance, the attackers opened indiscriminate fire, which reportedly led to the death of one of their own members in the crossfire. Following the incident, the remaining attackers fled the scene, abandoning the body of their deceased associate.
The body was still lying at the site at the time of reporting, and there has been no official response from authorities regarding the incident so far.
Local communities and nationalist groups have long accused the Pakistani military of backing armed civilian outfits – often labelled locally as “death squads” – that operate in various regions of Balochistan. These groups are accused of involvement in enforced disappearances, targeted killings of political and social activists, as well as criminal activities including drug trafficking and kidnapping for ransom.
Critics say such armed groups enjoy impunity and operate with the full protection of state institutions, contributing to the deteriorating law and order situation in the region.