Tensions rise in Pakistan after Baloch rebels kill alleged army agent
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The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a militant group fighting for independence in Pakistan's Balochistan province, says it was behind a deadly bomb blast that killed a man they claim was working with the Pakistani army.
The target was Muhammad Ameen, who the BLA says helped the military carry out secret operations in Balochistan. He and his son, Naveed Ameen, were killed when their vehicle was hit by a remote-controlled bomb in the Zamuran area.
According to BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch, Ameen was part of a "death squad" that had been working with the army to arrest, kill and make political activists disappear. 'He was protected by the army and allowed to run drug operations in return for his dirty work,' said the spokesperson.
The BLA is a separatist group that wants independence for Balochistan, a region in southwest Pakistan. They accuse the Pakistani government of exploiting Balochistan's natural resources while keeping the local people poor, silent and under military control.
For years, the BLA and other Baloch nationalist groups have been fighting against the state. This conflict has led to hundreds of deaths, forced disappearances, and widespread fear among local communities.
The BLA claims Muhammad Ameen and his group were responsible for several attacks on their fighters over the years. In 2018, they say his squad killed two of their members in the Jalagi area. In 2020, five more BLA fighters were allegedly killed by Ameen's network in another part of Balochistan.
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The BLA believes this latest bombing was payback for those killings.
Balochistan has been described by human rights groups as one of the most dangerous and heavily policed areas in Pakistan. The Pakistani government says it is fighting terrorists in the region. But local activists say innocent people—especially young men—are often targeted just for speaking out.
Harsh security laws in Pakistan give soldiers the power to arrest people without a proper investigation. Many of those arrested are never seen again, and those who are taken to court often face unfair trials in secret military courts. Torture is also commonly reported.
One local activist told The Citizen that people in Balochistan are living under constant fear. 'The army can come into your house without warning. People disappear and families never get answers,' the activist said.
Adding to the problem is tight media control. Journalists are not free to report on what's really happening in Balochistan, meaning the rest of Pakistan—and the world—rarely sees or hears the full story.
The Pakistani government has not responded publicly to the bombing or the BLA's claims. However, the attack is expected to increase tensions in an already unstable region.
While the BLA's use of violence is criticised by the state, the group still has support among many Baloch people who feel forgotten and abused by the government.
For now, the people of Balochistan remain trapped in a deadly tug-of-war between the military and the rebels—both of whom have been accused of human rights violations.
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