The Government of Balochistan has issued wanted notices for nine women linked to terrorism, unrest and other anti-state activities, asking the public to provide information that could assist authorities in their arrest.
The notices, released with photographs and identifying details, carry cash rewards ranging from Rs10 lakh to Rs15 lakh for credible information leading to their capture. Authorities have also assured informants that their identities will be kept confidential.
The women are reportedly associated with different areas of Gwadar, Jiwani, Turbat and Pasni, bringing renewed attention to the evolving nature of the terrorist threat in Balochistan’s Makran region.
Nine Women Wanted by Balochistan Government
According to the information displayed on the notices, the women are:
- Ruqayya
- Majida, daughter of Abdul Rashid
- Hameela
- Anar, daughter of Ali Maula
- Zahra, daughter of Malik Muhammad
- Safia, daughter of Iqbal
- Sehar/Nargis, daughter of Abdul Karim
- Zareena, daughter of Wahid Bakhsh
- Samina, daughter of Abdul Rashid
Citizens have been asked to provide information through Makran Madadgar at 1244. Authorities have also stressed that informants’ identities will be kept confidential and that members of the public should not attempt to confront or apprehend the wanted women themselves.
Why Families Are Disassociting Themselves from Missing Women
- Ruqayya: In Gwadar around 22 August 2026, her father/family reportedly publicly distanced themselves from her after she went missing on 19 June 2026. Ruqayya is likewise named in the government’s wanted notices for alleged terrorist activities.
- Nargis: The case of Nargis presents a different but related concern. Reports from January 2026 said she was abducted at gunpoint from Balicha, Kech, with reports linking to the BLA. Her case has since been cited in the wider discussion surrounding the recruitment and alleged exploitation of women by terrorist organisations. Nargis is also among the women highlighted in the government’s list of wanted individuals.
Why BLA Started Using Women for Terrorism
The increasing involvement of women in terrorism in Balochistan became particularly visible after 2022, when the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) began using female operatives in high-profile terrorist attacks.
The most prominent case was Shari Baloch, who carried out the April 2022 suicide attack at Karachi University’s Confucius Institute, killing three Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver. The attack marked a major shift in the BLA’s operational tactics and demonstrated that women could also be recruited for high-impact terrorist operations.
The use of women was not simply a change in recruitment. Terrorist groups sought to exploit social and cultural sensitivities surrounding women, particularly in conservative and tribal communities.
Women traditionally receive greater social respect and privacy in such environments. At security checkpoints, this can create practical difficulties for personnel conducting physical searches of female passengers or vehicles carrying women.
Why Stopping Female Terror Networks Matters
The latest notices highlight an important change in Balochistan’s security environment, with terrorist organisations increasingly attempting to exploit social trust and cultural sensitivities in their operations.. By releasing photographs, names and identifying information of nine wanted women, the government is seeking to strengthen the flow of local intelligence and prevent further terrorist activity. The development ultimately reflects a broader reality in Balochistan: as terrorist organisations adapt their methods, counterterrorism efforts must evolve accordingly.
