In Balochistan, banned separatist organizations such as the BLA, BLF, BRP, and others—nurtured by hostile foreign interests, particularly India—openly claim responsibility for attacks on development projects, machinery, contractors, local and especially non-local laborers, and communication infrastructure. These consistent claims serve as undeniable evidence that these extremist groups are the foremost enemies of Balochistan’s development and prosperity. While they portray themselves as champions of Baloch rights, in reality, they are bloodthirsty elements disguised in the garb of ethnic nationalism, shedding the blood of innocent and unarmed Baloch people for their own selfish agendas.
On the other hand, to shield these groups' crimes and falsely portray terrorists as victims, a handful of individuals—such as Mah Rang Baloch, Smee Deen Baloch, and Sabiha Baloch—under the banner of the so-called Baloch Solidarity Committee, have been staging the “missing persons” drama to spread venom against the state and its institutions. However, the facts speak otherwise: there is not a single case of forced disappearance in Balochistan. A critical question arises—why is it that in Punjab, the most populous province of Pakistan, as well as in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan, there are no such claims, while only certain groups in Balochistan insist on this narrative of “missing persons”? The reason is simple: those involved in this campaign are exploiting the “missing persons” narrative as a lucrative dollar-earning scheme, while the real target is to hinder Balochistan’s progress.
It is no coincidence that terrorist attacks in Balochistan sharply increased after the signing of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) agreement in 2014 and the development of Gwadar Port. India, Pakistan’s eternal adversary, cannot digest the strengthening Pakistan-China partnership, especially through the CPEC megaproject. This is evident in the repeated targeting of Chinese engineers, diplomats, and consulates. From the outset, both India and the United States expressed deep reservations over CPEC. The U.S. fears that a successfully completed CPEC will stabilize Pakistan internally, reducing American leverage, while simultaneously enhancing China’s global economic clout—posing a direct threat to U.S. superpower status. For India, CPEC is particularly troubling. After Pakistan became a nuclear power, India could no longer challenge it militarily; with CPEC’s completion, Pakistan would also leave India behind in the race for economic growth.
With U.S. blessing, India began using Afghanistan as a conduit to fuel terrorism and militancy in Balochistan. India continues to fund and arm separatist groups like the BLA, BLF, and BRP in an effort to destabilize Pakistan through proxy warfare. After suffering humiliating defeats at the hands of Pakistan’s armed forces in operations like Radd-ul-Fasaad and Bunyan-e-Marsous, India shifted its focus to sponsoring terrorism. Indian media has also played a role in promoting this narrative—broadcasting videos of attacks like the Jaffer Express bombing, glorifying BLA activities, and portraying terrorists as resistance fighters.
These efforts, however, are failing. Pakistan has resolved to eliminate such anti-state elements from Balochistan. Intelligence-based operations by security forces are now regularly neutralizing India-backed terrorists. Of concern, however, is the biased role of certain foreign media outlets—most notably the BBC—which, despite being aware of the facts, are spreading misinformation and propaganda. A recent BBC report on an operation in Turbat’s Dannuk area, involving the burial of militants, was not only misleading but appeared to be part of a broader campaign against Pakistan.
It must be noted that on April 29, 2025, security forces conducted an operation in Dannuk, Turbat, eliminating three highly dangerous terrorists: Nabeel Ahmed alias Ali, Feroz alias Sarban, and Muhammad Umar Zaka alias Guru. These militants were responsible for multiple attacks on security personnel and civilians, and were involved in targeted killings, extortion, and kidnappings for ransom. Their prolonged activities had been a source of unrest in the province. The BLA later confirmed their deaths, identifying them as senior operatives. Their families were fully aware of their connections to the banned group, yet the BBC’s coverage attempted to paint a sympathetic picture—revealing where its loyalties lie.
The "missing persons" narrative has repeatedly fallen apart. Last year, suicide bomber Tayyab Baloch—who carried out an attack in Bela—was previously listed among the “missing.” His disappearance had even been formally reported. Before that, terrorist Fazal Kareem Jan from Turbat, reported missing on May 25, 2022, was killed in a terrorist operation in Gwadar. There are hundreds of such documented cases where individuals, previously listed as missing by foreign-sponsored groups like the BYC, were later found involved in terrorist activities and neutralized by security forces.
In summary, Balochistan’s terrorists are deliberately labeled as “missing persons” to discredit state efforts and halt the province’s progress. This is not a human rights movement—it is an orchestrated drama. The real objective remains to sabotage CPEC, hinder development, and destabilize Pakistan under the pretext of civil liberties.