On 24 May, Balochistan was once again drenched in blood. Just before Eid al-Adha, innocent people were heading home to meet their loved ones when Indian-backed terrorists carried out a suicide attack in Quetta. Women, children and elderly passengers were among those martyred, along with five brave Frontier Corps soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. These terrorists claim they are fighting for “freedom,” yet their victims are unarmed civilians. One must ask: is freedom achieved by slaughtering women and children? The people they target are ordinary passengers whose only crime is being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Such acts have nothing to do with Islam, humanity or the aspirations of the Baloch people.
The crucial question is: who is behind these attacks? One of the suicide bombers was reportedly linked to a so-called “missing person” whose image had been circulated by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) as evidence of state oppression. The same individual later emerged as the killer of innocent civilians. Groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) attempt to present themselves as representatives of Balochistan, but terrorism cannot be legitimized through claims of ethnic representation. Throughout history, terrorist organizations have used narratives of victimhood to justify violence and attract support. The BLA follows the same pattern.
Simply being born into a Baloch family does not grant anyone the authority to speak on behalf of millions of Baloch people. Representation comes through public support and collective consent. Did the Baloch people ever authorize the BLA to impose the will of a few thousand armed men on more than twenty million citizens? Did they permit them to kill labourers, traders, barbers, travelers and public servants? The answer is a big NO. The people of Balochistan participate in elections under Pakistan’s constitutional framework, vote for their representatives and take part in democratic institutions. Yet the BLA brands many of these individuals as traitors and targets them for assassination. In doing so, it rejects the political will of the very people it claims to represent.
Patriotic Baloch leaders, tribal elders, political workers and community figures who advocate for rights through constitutional means have repeatedly become targets of terrorist violence. Meanwhile, innocent Baloch civilians continue to suffer the consequences. Over the years, the BLA has claimed responsibility for attacks on buses, railway stations, public places and security personnel across Quetta, Mastung, Turbat and other areas. Hundreds of local Baloch serving in the police, Frontier Corps and other institutions have been killed while protecting their communities or simply returning home on leave.
A genuine movement for rights does not rely on foreign funding, foreign direction or the destruction of its own people’s future. Attacks on Gwadar Port and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects demonstrate that the BLA’s objective extends beyond political grievances. By targeting development initiatives, it seeks to prevent economic progress and keep the province trapped in instability. The greatest victims of this terrorism are ordinary citizens. Daily-wage labourers, traders and workers from across Pakistan come to Balochistan to earn an honest living and contribute to the local economy. Many have paid for this contribution with their lives.
The BLA has repeatedly targeted gas pipelines, electricity infrastructure, roads and development projects. The logic behind these attacks appears straightforward: if there is no development, investment, industry or employment, frustration and deprivation can be exploited to recruit more people into extremism. If terrorism were defeated, Balochistan’s immense potential could finally be realized. Investment would increase, infrastructure would improve and new hospitals, schools and industries could emerge. Gwadar could become a major economic hub, creating prosperity for local communities. Yet investors are understandably reluctant to enter an environment where workers, engineers and civilians are constantly under threat. The case of suicide bomber Bilal Shahwani illustrates the dangers of misleading narratives. Reportedly listed by the BYC as a “missing person,” he later surfaced as the perpetrator of a deadly attack. Reports further indicate that his own father had publicly disowned him months earlier. Despite such realities, some voices continue to advocate sympathy for these individuals under the guise of political dialogue. Terrorism in Pakistan has long been linked to external support and foreign interference. Various reports and investigations have pointed to networks operating beyond Pakistan’s borders. Chabahar Port has frequently been cited in discussions surrounding support routes for anti-Pakistan militant groups, while the case of Indian operative Kulbhushan Jadhav remains a significant example of foreign involvement highlighted by Pakistan. Recent security developments have further intensified concerns about the nexus between hostile foreign actors and terrorist organizations operating in Balochistan. At the same time, some local elements continue to provide ideological, political or logistical support to extremist groups.
Videos circulating on social media reportedly show women receiving weapons training in remote mountainous areas near the Afghan border. Critics argue that certain activists are being projected internationally as symbols of rights and deprivation while obscuring the violent agendas of militant organizations operating in the background. The pressing question, therefore, is how to eliminate this threat. Pakistan needs stronger legal mechanisms to target terrorism and its support networks. The assets, properties and financial resources of those involved in terrorist activities should be subject to strict legal action. Similarly, those who openly glorify or promote terrorism through social media and other platforms must be held accountable under the law.
These groups function as organized terrorist networks that spread fear, violence and instability. They have attacked schools, hospitals, roads, and civilian infrastructure while undermining efforts to bring peace and development to the province. Under the Paigham-e-Pakistan initiative, more than 1,800 religious scholars have declared terrorism and extremist violence to be contrary to Islamic teachings. Their message reinforces the principle that no political cause can justify the killing of innocent people. Balochistan must not be allowed to become a playground for foreign powers, intelligence agencies or geopolitical rivalries. The time has come for national unity, public awareness and collective resolve. Only through a united effort can Pakistan defeat terrorism, protect its citizens and secure a peaceful and prosperous future for Balochistan.