ISLAMABAD: The tragic incident unfolded in Ziarat on August 10, 2025, when terrorists intercepted the official vehicle of Assistant Commissioner Ziarat, Muhammad Afzal.
This indicates the second such abduction in Ziarat this year, with the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claiming responsibility.
The group, alongside its allied factions, has a track record of targeting not only government officials but also ordinary citizens, engineers, and in some cases, women and children.
Furthermore, the recent study by the Center for Terrorism Studies at West Point (April 2025) highlighted the growing use of female suicide bombers by the BLA, Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), and other splinter outfits.
In this regard, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Tirah Valley, a terrorist compound explosion earlier this year claimed 24 lives, including children.
In addition, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), often vocal on human rights issues, has come under scrutiny for its reluctance to condemn militant violence.
Meanwhile, the security forces have responded with intensified operations. Additionally, in January alone, Pakistan Army actions against BLA’s illegal roadblocks resulted in the elimination of 12 militants, though 18 security personnel were martyred in the process.
The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees protection of life and property but also criminalizes armed insurgencies, particularly those linked to external sponsorship.
The BLA is a globally recognized terrorist group growing, experts argue that local advocacy groups must draw a clear line between legitimate rights activism and tacit support for violence.
Also Read: BLA, BLF terrorists of harming Baloch cause with Indian backing
The mountains of Ziarat now stand as silent witnesses to the sacrifice of Muhammad Afzal and his son.
