Exchange of fire between supporters of Balochistan National Party (BNP) chief Akhtar Mengal and a notorious local figure Shafiq Mengal, who is known to have “death squads” in the area, has been taking place periodically in the Wadh area of Balochistan’s Khuzdar district since Wednesday evening.
Five supporters of Akhtar Mengal were reportedly injured in the clash.
Speaking to Dissent Today, Quetta-based journalist Shahzada Zulfiqar said that Akhtar Mengal is being cornered by the establishment with the help of Shafiq Mengal’s death squads. Shafiq Mengal is a controversial but influential politician from Khuzdar who has been accused of kidnapping and harassment of rivals as well as journalists in the area. Despite his criminal record, Shafiq Mengal enjoys influence in the province and is said to be backed by powerful quarters, which allows him to keep his death squad.
According to Shahzada Zulfiqar, the clash began when Shafiq Mengal’s armed supporters came and occupied a piece of land owned by Akhtar Mengal in Wadh. When Akhtar Mengal, who was in Dubai at the time, returned to the area, his supporters retaliated and the two groups of armed men took up opposite positions on the land and began exchanging fire. Men from the two armed groups are currently sitting in front of each other in a bid to control said land.
Latest reports indicate former Balochistan chief minister Nawab Raisani is holding talks with representatives of both sides to achieve a ceasefire. But the administration remains missing in action, and it appears the security forces have given a free hand to the armed men.
“The establishment had been unhappy with Akhtar Mengal lately, which might be the reason why they have refused to protect him against Shafiq Mengal’s death squads,” said Zulfiquar. He added that the Deputy Commissioner told him that when he asked for additional deployment of Frontier Constabulary (FC) to deal with the situation, he was told that the FC had been ordered not to intervene.
Earlier on Friday, MNA Mohsin Dawar spoke about the issue during his address to the National Assembly.
“Akhtar Mengal is being pushed against the wall,” he said.
The situation in Wadh is very tense. @sakhtarmengal is being pushed against the wall. He is being targeted by a death squad which is very concerning. Such attempts to force him to not speak out are highly concerning. pic.twitter.com/BaDCCOVrom
— Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) July 21, 2023
Meanwhile, Akhtar Mengal’s daughter took to Twitter and claimed that their residence in Wad was attacked on Friday morning, adding that the authorities have taken no action.
Shots have been fired at our residential home in Wad. Authorities and government has taken no notice of this situation which will further escalate within a few hours. @HamidMirPAK @asmashirazi @ImaanZHazir
— Banari Mengal (@BanariMengal) July 21, 2023
