In Balochistan, women are being drawn into militant violence through manipulation and coercion. They are misled, used as tools, and placed at the centre of attacks that target not only the state but also the social and cultural structure of Baloch Baloch society. This is not only about security. It also raises serious questions about exploitation and the erosion of local values and traditions of balochistan.
At a press conference, DIG CTD Hamza Shafqat and Babar Yousafzai, Assistant to the Home Department of Balochistan, revealed that a female suicide bomber was used in the attack on the FC Headquarters in Quetta on 30 November. They shared the confessional account of Raheema Bibi, wife of Manzoor Ahmed from Dalbandin , whereins he acknowledged that her husband had assisted a female suicide attacker affiliated with the BLF, who later targeted a Frontier Corps camp in November 2025. The case sheds light on the changing patterns of militant operations in the region.
Public awareness, early identification of suspicious influences, and clear rejection of these activities at the community level are essential to prevent further exploitation.
One worrying aspect is how facilitation is taking place within ordinary homes. The reports suggest that individuals involved in such networks are not always operating from hidden camps or remote locations. In some cases, private residences are being used to shelter, transport, or coordinate movement of those involved in planned attacks. This creates a difficult security environment because the line between civilian space and operational space becomes blurred, making detection more complex and increasing risk at the community level.
There are also indications of cross border movement linked to training and support. Some individuals are believed to have been taken across the border for training before being brought back for operations inside Pakistan. Communication channels are reportedly managed in ways that conceal identities, including the use of family phone numbers or trusted personal contacts to avoid suspicion. These patterns suggest a structured attempt to maintain operational secrecy while expanding reach across regions.
Another shift is visible in recruitment patterns, especially the increasing focus on women. Vulnerable individuals are gradually influenced through persuasion, emotional pressure, and ideological messaging before being drawn into structured networks. Over time, they are prepared for operational roles through training and coordination. This phased process of recruitment reflects a long term strategy rather than isolated incidents, and it raises concerns about how vulnerability is being identified and exploited.
There is also a growing tendency to reshape the public narrative after such incidents. When individuals are detained, intercepted, or separated from these networks, their cases are sometimes presented in a different light in public discourse. This can lead to confusion, public debate, and in some cases the reframing of operational cases as missing person issues, which diverts attention from the underlying security context.
These developments show that militant networks are using social ties, emotional pressure, and cross border links in a layered and adaptive way. At the same time, these actions stand against the cultural traditions of Baloch society, which do not support the exploitation of women in any form of violence. Instead of reflecting local values, these methods appear to distort them for operational gain.
This issue cannot be seen only through the lens of law and order. It is also a serious violation of women’s dignity and rights, and an attack on the social fabric of the region. When women are used in this manner, the impact goes beyond immediate security concerns and affects trust within communities, family structures, and social cohesion.
In response to such threats, security measures are being adjusted, including more careful screening at checkpoints. While this may change previous practices, it is being seen as necessary to prevent security breaches and stop potential attackers from exploiting gaps in the system. At the same time, there is a risk that such measures could create social discomfort, which may itself be exploited to deepen divisions within society or create further misunderstanding.
Alongside security efforts, local elders and community leaders have an important role. Public awareness, early identification of suspicious influences, and clear rejection of these activities at the community level are essential to prevent further exploitation. A collective response is necessary, one that combines security vigilance with social responsibility, so that militant networks cannot find space within the society. They should be exposed and eliminated.
The writer is a freelance columnist.