Official says suspect led Bolan’s ‘Fatah Squad’ linked to 50 murders, Jaffar Express attack
Suhail Baloch was involved in multiple attacks that killed more than 50 security personnel and civilians. PHOTO: CTD
KARACHI:
Authorities have identified a fourth terrorist killed last month in an encounter between the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and banned agents of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) in Shah Latif town, officials said.
The Balochistan Liberation Army is designated as a terrorist organization by the Pakistani state and accused of waging an armed insurgency against the state, particularly in Balochistan, known as Fitna al-Hindustan widely. Authorities say the group attacks security forces, infrastructure and civilians, and operates with outside backing aimed at destabilizing Pakistan.
The dead man was identified as Suhail Baloch, also known as Gark Baloch, who authorities said served as commander of the BLA’s “Fatah Squad” in the Bolan area, according to a CTD Sindh spokesperson.
The spokesperson said the terrorist was involved in multiple attacks that killed more than 50 security personnel and civilians.
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Suhail Baloch was also involved in the murder of Panjgur Deputy Commissioner Zakir Baloch on March 12, 2024, the spokesperson said.
Additionally, he was accused of sending five suicide bombers to carry out an attack on the Jaffar Express train on March 11, 2025, in which the attackers participated.
According to the CTD, the suspect had initially joined the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) in 2022 before moving to the banned BLA, where he continued to be involved in various terrorist activities as commander of the Fatah squad.
The spokesperson said he was in direct contact with BLA commanders Rehman Gul, Dr Mukhwa and Mullah Amin.
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He also participated in blocking roads in several locations, looting civilians and carrying out other terrorist activities, and had been wanted by security forces for a long time, the CTD said.
The encounter took place on February 17 in Shah Latif town, where CTD personnel clashed with terrorists linked to the banned BLA.
The spokesperson added that teams had been formed to arrest those responsible, associates and facilitators of the terrorist, and said they would soon be brought to justice.
