Pakistan-backed armed groups in Balochistan using former Afghan government forces: report

According to an investigative report by Parrhesia News, Pakistan’s security agencies are using state-backed armed groups in Balochistan to pursue security objectives and counter Baloch armed opposition, with some former members of Afghanistan’s security forces also recruited into these groups.

The report, published on August 6, claims that groups known as “Lashkars” operate in Balochistan with the support of Pakistan’s security agencies and play a role in security and counterinsurgency operations alongside the country’s army, border forces and intelligence agencies.

According to the investigation, these groups serve as proxies, allowing Pakistan to carry out some security and counterinsurgency operations through armed groups that are not formally part of the state structure.

Parrhesia News claims that some former members of Afghanistan’s security forces, who left the country after the fall of the republic in 2021, have also joined these groups. The report says their military training, combat experience and familiarity with border operations make them valuable to these networks.

The report says the use of former Afghan personnel allows Pakistan-backed armed groups to deploy experienced fighters in their operations without officially increasing the size of Pakistan’s security forces.

The outlet also claims that the former Afghan personnel are primarily motivated by financial needs and finding a way to make a living, and that they have no interest in participating in a potential conflict against Afghanistan.