A young man was shot dead in the Tump area of Kech district, Balochistan, in what local sources allege was an attack carried out by a government-backed armed group, locally known as “death squads”
According to reports, the gunmen opened fire near the police station in Koshkalat, Tump, on Thursday, killing Akmal, son of Saleh Mohammad, a resident of the area.
The assailants managed to flee after the incident. Police shifted the body to a local hospital for legal formalities but have not issued any statement on the motive or those responsible.
Local sources claim the attackers were members of so-called “death squads,” groups allegedly backed by Pakistani secret services. These groups have long been accused of involvement in targeted killings and abductions in the region.
In recent weeks, the Makran region has witnessed a rise in incidents of kidnappings and targeted attacks. Victims have reportedly included Baloch political activists, their relatives, community elders, and other civilians.
Civil society groups and political organizations have repeatedly called on the authorities to dismantle such armed groups. However, no concrete measures have been announced to address these concerns.