Balochistan Sees Escalation of Violence: Multiple Fatalities Reported

Violence has escalated in Balochistan, with four Baloch fighters killed in a fierce gun battle in the Barkhan district on Friday. The fighting occurred in the Koh-e-Jandar area of Rakni tehsil and lasted for several hours, involving heavy weaponry. The deceased were identified as Mustafa Noor, Samiullah, Rasaan Qadir, and Shahzaib. Their bodies were transferred to a hospital in Rakni. The opposing group has been described as a state-backed death squad. Pakistani authorities have not yet released an official statement about the incident. Concurrently, a military operation in the Spilinji area of Mastung district led to intense fighting, with troops entering the mountainous region and triggering gunfire and explosions. Casualties were reported on both sides, but the exact number remains unclear. No Baloch armed group has claimed responsibility for the Spilinji clashes. These events underscore the ongoing volatility in Balochistan, where conflict between nationalist groups and state forces continues.