QUETTA: A medical student who was killed in an encounter with Pakistani security forces in Balochistan had been studying at Bolan Medical College on a government scholarship, according to reports.
The student, identified as Lal Khan Nawaz, was from Panjgur and was pursuing an MBBS degree. He was killed during an encounter with security forces on Tuesday, according to the reports.
Nawaz had received a scholarship from the Balochistan government to study medicine. However, reports allege that he later left college and joined the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a banned militant organisation.
The reports further allege that BLA leader Bashir Zeb and individuals affiliated with the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) influenced Nawaz and drew him into militant circles.
As a result, he moved away from his medical studies and adopted the narrative of a banned militant organisation, according to the reports.
His death has renewed concerns over the radicalisation of young people. A student who once had the opportunity to build a career in medicine instead became involved with a militant organisation and ultimately lost his life.
Meanwhile, social media users have highlighted Nawaz’s transformation by sharing an image from his university days.
One X user posted the photograph with a caption describing it as a picture of Nawaz “when he was a human being.”
Picture of Lal khan nawaz, when he was a human being. https://t.co/irwnlBvgAX pic.twitter.com/0zh3uU8C1x
— War Analyst (@War_Analysts) September 2, 2026
At the same time, some young men who joined militant groups in the mountains are reportedly returning to their families.
On Tuesday, the son of Baloch elder Naqo Mehyar reportedly returned home after spending two years in the mountains with the BLA.
A X, formaly known as twitter, user @Hawkss_eye shared a video showing the emotional reunion between the man and his father.
The post described the scene as a painful reminder of the impact of militancy on Baloch families. It said young men who leave their homes for the mountains often leave elderly parents and other family members behind.
These are the heartbreaking scenes as Naqo Mehyar’s son finally returned from the mountains after two years with BLA terrorists.
The emotions and pain of this Baloch father should serve as a lesson to those Baloch youth who abandon their elderly parents and head to the… pic.twitter.com/EvUMUYeEqh
— Hawk’s Eye (@Hawkss_eye) September 2, 2026
The post also accused militant organisations of exploiting young people and leaving their families to suffer.
The contrasting cases — a former medical student killed after joining a militant group and another young man returning home after years in the mountains — have renewed debate over the consequences of militant recruitment and radicalisation among Baloch youth.
