Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies are using state-backed armed groups, including former Afghan military personnel, in operations against Baloch pro-independence groups in Balochistan, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported.
Tasnim said in a report published on August 6 that armed groups locally referred to as “lashkars” and described in Balochistan as “death squads” operate with the support of Pakistani security institutions and work alongside the military, border forces and intelligence agencies.
The report said the groups function as proxy forces and take part in some military operations without being formally incorporated into Pakistan’s state structure.
It added that a number of former Afghan personnel who left Afghanistan after the collapse of the previous government in 2021 had joined Pakistani security institutions and state-backed armed groups operating in Balochistan.
Tasnim cited their military training, combat experience and familiarity with border operations as reasons for their recruitment.
The report said the use of former Afghan personnel allowed Pakistan-backed groups to draw on experienced fighters without formally increasing the size of Pakistan’s armed forces.
It added that financial considerations were the main motivation for many of the former Afghan personnel, who were seeking income and a means of supporting themselves.
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