Embedded with rocky mountainous terrains, the southwestern province of Pakistan, Balochistan, has had a bittersweet relationship with the federation. The people of the region remain wary due to the grievances and exploitation they have endured for decades. A lack of governance, limited socio-economic development, a fragile law-and-order situation, and a continuous military presence have left them feeling imprisoned within their own homes.

The dire situation in Balochistan has gained attention with the emergence of women-led movements from the marginalized province. These women have demonstrated exceptional courage, spending day and night in sit-ins and protests while facing state hurdles and threats with fearlessness. However, the region where women like Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen are recognized for raising voice yet another side of the coin where women who were weak in the patriarchal society remains unexplored. Their stories are doomed to be forgotten lest they are remembered. 

A concerning trend has emerged in Balochistan, where educated women are increasingly manipulated into participating in terrorist activities. This sinister strategy, adopted by the Balochistan Liberation Army's (BLA) Majeed Brigade—a suicide squad—highlights a tactical shift. The group exploits women’s societal trust and aspirations for education and progress to further its violent agenda. These heart-wrenching stories narrate the dilemma of Baloch women striving to defy patriarchy through education, only to be ensnared by manipulative forces.

The phenomenon began in 2022, with Sharri Baloch becoming the first known female suicide bomber of the BLA. A teacher with a Master’s degree in Zoology and an MPhil enrolment, she was radicalized by her husband and peers, both affiliated with the banned Baloch Student Organization-Azad (BSO-A). She detonated herself near a vehicle carrying Chinese teachers at the Confucius Institute of Karachi University. A mother of two, her tragic journey from an empowered individual to a tool of terror underscores how education alone cannot safeguard against exploitation in the face of systemic vulnerabilities and targeted manipulation.

In 2023, another incident highlighted the disturbing trend. Summaiya Qalandrani, a 25-year-old journalist from Khuzdar, carried out a suicide attack on a Frontier Corps (FC) convoy in Turbat. Although the convoy sustained minor damage, a police vehicle passing by became the unintended target, claiming the life of a young constable. Her deep ties to the BLA—she was engaged to a fellow suicide bomber and the daughter-in-law of the group’s founder, Aslam Baloch—revealed the layers of trauma and manipulation behind her radicalization.

The trend continued into 2024, with a sharp increase in female involvement in terrorism. In August, Mahel Hameed, a law student from Turbat University, was coerced into becoming a suicide bomber. Allegedly influenced by her teacher, she detonated herself at a Frontier Corps camp in Bela, a previously peaceful region. Her story highlights how young, educated women are increasingly drawn into the BLA’s extremist ideology.

Another chilling case surfaced with the arrest of Adeela Baloch, a nurse from Turbat, Kech. Adeela, who worked with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Turbat Teaching Hospital, was reportedly being prepared for a suicide bombing by the BLA. During a press conference, she revealed how she had been misled by false promises and coercion. Her testimony emphasized the psychological manipulation and exploitation that extremist groups employ to prey on women’s vulnerabilities.

In October 2024, further evidence of this vile exploitation emerged during an investigation into the BLA’s attack on a Chinese convoy at Karachi Airport. A woman named Gul Nisa was identified as a facilitator, aiding attackers in bypassing security. This attack, designed to disrupt Pakistan-China relations and sabotage the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), involved a vehicle-borne explosive device (VBIED). Gul Nisa’s logistical support highlights the operational tactics of utilizing women in non-combat roles to elude security checkpoints.

These incidents mark a disturbing shift in extremist tactics in Balochistan, underscoring the exploitation of educated women for militant agendas. While the stories of women like Sharri Baloch, Summaiya Qalandrani, Mahel Hameed, Adeela Baloch, and Gul Nisa represent only the tip of the iceberg, they serve as a wake-up call. The need to address this alarming trend, safeguard vulnerable women, and combat the manipulation of societal trust has never been more urgent.

These stories highlight the urgent need for targeted counter-narratives, improved governance, and robust measures to protect vulnerable individuals. Addressing this issue is essential for restoring stability and empowering women in Balochistan. Women are an essential part of a society where the responsibility of their protection and empowerment lies with state.

Noor Ul Huda Atif is a PhD scholar of Peace and Conflict Studies at Centre for Peace and Stability (CIPS) of National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. Her expertise lies in terrorism, perception building, information warfare and cognition. She is currently working as Research Officer at International Institute for Global Strategic Analysis (IIGSA). She has experience of five years with different think tanks. She is a regular contributor for South Asian Voices, Eurasia Review and Modern Diplomacy.