The head of Baloch Liberation Army, Bashir Zeb Baloch, has alleged that Pakistani secretive agencies are “directly involved” in today’s attack on Shia Hazaras in Mach.
In a statement on Twitter, the Baloch leader said: “I strongly condemn the attack by religious extremists on innocent members of Hazara tribe in Mach, Bolan. Pakistani intelligence agencies are directly involved in this cowardly attack.”
He said that such tactics are used by the “enemy state” to counter Baloch “national resistance”.
“Bolan has historically been the symbol of Baloch resistance; therefore, the enemy state has always tried to counter this national resistance through their cunning tactics. Today’s tragic incident is a continuity of enemy’s same measures,” he alleged.
Earlier on Sunday, 11 coalminers were killed by unknown assailants in Geshtri area of Mach, Balochistan. Authorities have not yet provided further details about the incident, but sources say the men belong to the Hazara community, and were allegedly killed by religious extremists after identification
Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani said that security forces had surrounded the area and started the investigation. “we will bring the terrorists to justice,” he vowed.
The gruesome attack has attracted widespread condemnation. In a Tweet, former Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sardar Akhter Mengal said: “Extremely saddened to hear about the tragic incident in Mach. May Allah give the families patience. My thoughts with my Hazara brothers and sisters who have continuously been a victim of sectarian violence in Pakistan. Can’t ask for justice here but can pray Allah helps us.”
Members of the Hazara community have been targeted in past too by religious extremists through targeted killings and bomb blasts, in which hundreds of people have lost their lives.