A fierce gun battle in Balochistan’s Barkhan district resulted in the deaths of four Baloch fighters on Friday. The confrontation, which took place in the Koh-e-Jandar area of Rakni tehsil, involved a ‘state-backed’ armed group and lasted for several hours. Residents reported the use of heavy weaponry during the exchange of fire.
The deceased have been identified as Mustafa Noor, Samiullah, Rasaan Qadir, and Shahzaib. Their bodies were transported to a hospital in Rakni. The opposing group is described as a ‘state-backed death squad,’ a term used for pro-government militias allegedly operating under the protection of Pakistani military and intelligence agencies. No official statement has been released by Pakistani authorities regarding the incident.
In a separate event, heavy fighting occurred in the Spilinji area of Mastung district during a military operation by Pakistani forces. Large troop contingents entered the mountainous region late Thursday night, followed by intense gunfire and explosions. Casualties were reported on both sides, though the exact number of dead or wounded remains unknown. No Baloch armed group has claimed responsibility for the Spilinji clashes. These incidents highlight the ongoing conflict between nationalist groups and state forces in Balochistan.