QUETTA: The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a group known for its vocal stance on human rights issues in Balochistan, has come under increasing scrutiny amid allegations connecting it to the recent surge in female participation in militant operations within the province. This development has raised concerns among security officials and analysts who observe a significant change in the dynamics of the long-standing insurgency in the region.
Historically, despite decades of conflict dating back to the partition of British India in 1947, there were no documented cases of women engaging in suicide bombings in Balochistan. This pattern shifted notably after the establishment of the BYC in 2020. Security experts point out that prior to this period, female militants had not been part of the violent landscape, making the current trend a stark departure from past insurgent tactics.
The turning point came in 2022 when Shari Baloch, an educated woman with a notable background, carried out a suicide attack at the University of Karachi. This incident marked a new chapter in the militant profile of the region, signaling the emergence of women as active participants in violent extremist activities. Following Shari Baloch’s attack, several other women—including Sumaiya Qalandarani, Mahkan Baloch, Mahel Baloch, Zarina Rafiq Baloch, Hawa Baloch, and Asiya Mengal—have reportedly been involved in similar deadly operations, further underscoring the growing role of female militants.
Meanwhile, officials have revealed that numerous women are currently being trained in camps operated by the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). The group itself has released videos showcasing female recruits undergoing militant training, which highlights the increasing institutionalization of women within their ranks. This shift has alarmed security agencies, as it suggests a strategic expansion of recruitment efforts targeting women, traditionally less involved in such violent acts.
While the BYC publicly presents itself as an advocacy organization focused on highlighting enforced disappearances and human rights violations in Balochistan, critics argue that the group plays a more covert role. Behind its advocacy facade, the BYC is alleged to act as a recruitment conduit for the BLA, subtly encouraging young women and minors to join the insurgency. The narrative promoted by the BYC often portrays the Pakistani state as an oppressive and occupying force, a rhetoric that some analysts believe contributes to the radicalization of vulnerable populations.
Speeches delivered by prominent BYC leaders, including Sabiha Baloch, frequently emphasize the concept of “Baloch rule” and resistance against state authority. Such rhetoric, critics contend, may serve as a catalyst for extremist ideology, particularly among impressionable youth. Experts suggest that several women who later engaged in suicide attacks had some form of association with BYC-organized protest camps or were influenced by the group’s messaging, which they describe as providing the ideological “raw material” that is later exploited and weaponized by the BLA’s militant wing, known as the Majeed Brigade.
Despite these serious allegations, the BYC has yet to issue a public response addressing the claims linking it to female militancy. The unfolding situation continues to draw attention from security agencies and human rights observers alike, as the involvement of women in violent insurgency represents a troubling evolution in the conflict dynamics of Balochistan.
