Baloch activists have condemned the killing of Baloch officer Zakir Baloch, accusing Pakistan's security apparatus of deliberately targeting the Baloch community.

Shaal (Balochistan) [Pakistan], August 14 : The Baloch protest caravan reached Shaal in Mashtung, where thousands of people gathered to honor those who were killed during the National Gathering on July 28. At the rally, activists and attendees pledged to continue resisting state oppression and brutality.

The Baloch Yakhjeti Committee (BYC) stated, "The ongoing state brutality in Balochistan can only be overcome through public resistance. The large turnout at this meeting demonstrates the public's determination to persist in their struggle until this oppression ends."

The protesters also condemned the killing of Deputy Commissioner Zakir Baloch in the Mastung district. Zakir Baloch was killed in a firefight after his vehicle was targeted by gunmen.

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) distanced itself from the killing of Zakir Baloch. In a statement released on Tuesday, a BLA spokesperson clarified that Zakir Baloch was not on the group's target list. The spokesperson accused the Pakistani military and the provincial government of trying to falsely implicate the BLA in the attack, according to the Balochistan Post.

The BYC, in its statement, said, "The killings of Zakir Baloch and Satara Shabbir are part of a long series of bloodshed in Balochistan that has persisted for seven decades. These killings are directly linked to forces responsible for the daily murder of Baloch youths, from dumping mutilated bodies to staging fake encounters. They are systematically killing them."

"Currently, Balochistan is facing a humanitarian crisis, and the Baloch nation is enduring what amounts to genocide. The Baloch Solidarity Committee appeals to the United Nations and human rights organizations to urgently intervene to stop this genocide and save the lives of millions," the BYC added.

Prominent Baloch activist Mahrang expressed that the Baloch people are being targeted simply for being Balochi.

"I strongly condemn the killing of Zakir Baloch and stand in solidarity with his family during this difficult time. Baloch society has been turned into a slaughterhouse where our educated youth are being murdered daily. The value of our youth's lives has been so diminished that we are handed their bodies every day. Each day brings new mourning to our homes. The situation has deteriorated to the point where neither position, profession, nor any other factor is considered before taking the life of a Baloch youth. Simply having 'Baloch' in their name is enough to justify their execution," she said in a statement posted on X.