Four Baloch Fighters Die in Barkhan Gunfight with State-Backed Group

Four Baloch fighters were killed in a violent clash with a ‘state-backed’ armed group in Balochistan’s Barkhan district on Friday. The fighting occurred in the Koh-e-Jandar area of Rakni tehsil and continued for several hours, with residents reporting the use of heavy weapons. The individuals killed were identified as Mustafa Noor, Samiullah, Rasaan Qadir, and Shahzaib. Their bodies were later transported to a hospital in Rakni. The opposing force is described as a ‘state-backed death squad,’ a term used for pro-government militias allegedly operating with the support of Pakistani military and intelligence agencies. No official statement has been released by Pakistani authorities regarding the incident. In a separate development, intense fighting was reported in the Spilinji area of Mastung district following a military operation by Pakistani forces. Troops entered the mountainous region late Thursday night, leading to intense gunfire and multiple explosions. Casualties were sustained on both sides. The exact number of those killed or wounded remains unclear, and no Baloch armed group has yet claimed responsibility for the Spilinji clashes. The region continues to experience instability due to the ongoing conflict.