Barkhan Gun Battle Claims Lives of Four Baloch Fighters; Military Operation in Mastung

Four Baloch fighters were killed in a gun battle with a ‘state-backed’ armed group in the Barkhan district of Balochistan on Friday. The confrontation took place in the Koh-e-Jandar area of Rakni tehsil and lasted for several hours, with residents reporting the use of heavy weapons. The deceased individuals have been identified as Mustafa Noor, Samiullah, Rasaan Qadir, and Shahzaib. Their bodies were later transferred to a hospital in Rakni. The opposing group is described as a ‘state-backed death squad,’ alleged to operate under the protection of Pakistani military and intelligence agencies. The Pakistani government has not yet released an official statement concerning the incident. Additionally, intense fighting was reported in the Spilinji area of Mastung district following a military operation by Pakistani forces. Large contingents of troops entered the mountainous region late Thursday night, leading to intense gunfire and explosions. Both sides sustained casualties. The exact number of those killed or wounded is unknown, and no Baloch armed group has claimed responsibility for the clashes in Spilinji. These events highlight the ongoing instability in Balochistan, where the conflict between nationalist groups and state forces continues.