Two men were killed in separate shooting incidents in Nushki and Kech districts over the past two days, with local sources alleging that both were associated with state-backed armed groups commonly referred to in the region as “death squads”.
According to local sources, unidentified armed men opened fire near the Qadirabad Bypass area of Nushki on Thursday, killing one man and injuring another.
The deceased was identified as Shah Khalid, a resident of Qaziabad, while Abdul Rauf Barech sustained injuries in the attack. Sources said Shah Khalid was allegedly affiliated with a military-backed armed group locally described as a “death squad”.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and no one has claimed responsibility.
In a separate incident reported on Friday, unidentified armed men shot and killed a man in the Zirdan area of Buleda, Kech district.
The deceased was identified as Hamid, son of Syed. Local sources described him as a member of a state-backed militia operating in the area. Some residents also alleged that he had been involved in criminal activities, including theft, targeted killings and other incidents of lawlessness.
No official statement has been issued regarding either incident.
The killings come amid continuing reports of attacks targeting individuals accused of links to state-backed militias in different parts of Balochistan. Such groups are often referred to by local residents, political activists and human rights campaigners as “death squads”, a term used for armed networks allegedly operating with the support of Pakistan army or intelligence agencies. Pakistani authorities have generally denied allegations that they sponsor or direct such groups.
Over the years, human rights organisations, nationalist parties and families of victims have accused members of these militias of involvement in enforced disappearances, targeted killings, intimidation and criminal activities. Similar allegations have frequently surfaced in districts including Kech, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Awaran and Mastung. The groups themselves rarely respond publicly to such accusations, while authorities have maintained that security measures in the region are aimed at countering armed insurgent activity.