Baloch Youth Gunned Down in Broad Daylight by Pakistan-Backed Militia

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A tragic incident in Kharan district, Balochistan, has reignited concerns over ongoing human rights abuses in the troubled region. A young man, identified as Mujahid, son of Khair Jan, was fatally shot in a busy marketplace on Friday, allegedly by members of a death squad reportedly supported by Pakistan’s military establishment. The killing, condemned by human rights groups, highlights the growing impunity with which state-backed forces operate in Balochistan.

According to Paank, the Human Rights Department of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), the assailants were part of an armed militia believed to function under the protection of the Pakistani military. Eyewitnesses reported that the victim was ambushed and shot multiple times in broad daylight, creating panic among onlookers. He was rushed to Sheikh Zayed Hospital for treatment but later succumbed to his injuries. Paank described the killing as “premeditated” and part of a broader, systematic campaign of intimidation and violence.

The use of so-called “death squads” – irregular armed groups allegedly funded and shielded by Pakistan’s security agencies  is a grim hallmark of the state’s counter-insurgency operations in Balochistan. These units often operate beyond the reach of the law, targeting activists, dissidents, and civilians with impunity. Paank’s statement underlined that such extrajudicial violence has become disturbingly routine in the region. “This attack reflects a disturbing pattern of impunity, where death squads continue to target civilians across Balochistan with full state support,” the organisation said.

For many observers and rights advocates, this killing represents yet another chapter in Balochistan’s long-standing struggle against what they describe as state repression. While Islamabad continues to downplay these incidents as isolated or security-related actions, human rights monitors argue otherwise. The international community, particularly Western democracies, must take notice of the deteriorating conditions and hold Pakistan accountable for these violations. If voices like Mujahid’s are silenced without consequence, it sets a dangerous precedent not only for Balochistan but for any region where state power is allowed to run unchecked. As the world watches other global flashpoints, Balochistan’s crisis remains largely ignored, an oversight that continues to cost innocent lives.