Deadly Clashes in Balochistan: Four Baloch Fighters Killed in Barkhan

Four Baloch fighters were killed in a prolonged gun battle with a pro-government militia in Barkhan, Balochistan, on Friday. The fighting took place in the Koh-e-Jandar area of Rakni tehsil, with residents reporting the use of heavy weapons. The victims have been identified as Mustafa Noor, Samiullah, Rasaan Qadir, and Shahzaib. Their bodies were transferred to a hospital in Rakni. The opposing group is described as a ‘state-backed death squad,’ a term used for pro-government militias. No official statement has been released by Pakistani authorities. In a separate development, heavy fighting erupted in the Spilinji area of Mastung district during a Pakistani military operation. Troops entered the mountainous region, triggering intense gunfire and explosions. The number of casualties is currently unknown, and no Baloch armed group has claimed responsibility for the Spilinji clashes. The incidents underscore the persistent instability in Balochistan.