A Quetta Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday sentenced Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch and co-accused Sibghatullah to life imprisonment in the murder case of Frontier Corps (FC) soldier Shabbir Baloch, who was killed during violence that erupted at the Raji Machi protest in Gwadar on July 29, 2024.
According to the verdict, the court concluded trial proceedings and convicted the two accused in connection with the killing of FC soldier Shabbir Baloch in Gwadar.
The prosecution argued that a violent mob attacked security personnel during the demonstration after being incited by protest leaders Dr Mahrang Baloch. According to the prosecution’s case, FC soldier Shabbir Baloch was fatally injured during the violence, while an officer and 16 other security personnel sustained injuries.
A day before that, as protesters made their way to Gwadar, a press note issued by the deputy commissioner of Kalat stated that participants of the BYC march had attacked a Levies checkpoint near Mastung and resorted to “extreme violence”.
Authorities subsequently registered a case and launched an investigation that led to the nomination of Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah. Following the completion of proceedings, the anti-terrorism court handed both accused life sentences.
Shabbir Baloch, 30, hailed from Sibi district and was serving with the Frontier Corps at the time of the incident.
Background to the Raji Machi Protest
The case stems from the BYC’s “Raji Machi” gathering in Gwadar, which had become the subject of a dispute between organisers and the provincial administration.
Government officials had opposed the protest in Gwadar, citing security concerns, arrival of high level foreign delegations and ongoing economic activities linked to the strategic port city. The administration had offered alternative venues, including Turbat and Khuzdar, for the gathering.
However, organisers proceeded with plans to hold the protest in Gwadar, where violent mob led by BYC attacked police personnel, FC soldiers, injuring 16 soldiers and the martyrdom of Shabbir Baloch.
Evidences and past actions of the BYC suggests that elements associated with the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) exploited protest gatherings to advance terrorism objectives. Previous cases also show that BYC leaders and activists maintained links with individuals associated with proscribed organisations.
The relationship between BYC and the BLA has become evident from the cases that the BYC claim as missing persons, when later those missing are claimed by the BLA as one of their terrorists.
Abdul Wadood Stakzai, Sohaib Lango and an 18-year-old youth from Kharan named Sarfaraz as examples of individuals who were allegedly presented publicly as missing persons but were later claimed by the banned BLA as active fighters.
Apart from the Gwadar case, Dr. Mahrang Baloch has been named in several criminal cases registered between 2023 and 2026.
These include cases related to the 2023-24 long march ,unlawful assembly, rioting, terrorism-related offences, incitement, public disorder, murder and attempted murder.
In June 2024, authorities registered FIR No. 61/24 in Quetta relating to unlawful assembly, rioting and the killing of FC soldier Shabbir Baloch.
In January 2025, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) registered a separate case in Quetta under Sections 11-EE and 11-F of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. The FIR alleged support and facilitation of a proscribed organisation. Proceedings in that case remain pending.
During protests held outside Quetta District Jail, supporters of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) clashed with police personnel. Following the incident, images of police officers were widely circulated on social media by BYC, accompanied by posts containing threats and warnings that the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) would target law enforcement officials.
Under Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997, Section 11-EE empowers authorities to place individuals on the Fourth Schedule, a monitoring list for persons suspected of involvement in terrorism-related activities.
Section 11-F criminalises support, assistance, financing or facilitation of proscribed organisations.
Provincial authorities have argued that special court procedures and enhanced security measures are necessary in terrorism-related cases due to threats faced by judges, prosecutors, investigators and witnesses involved in such trials.
Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti had stated that during the BYC’s “Raji Muchi” gathering, Sepoy Shabbir Baloch, a resident of Sibi, was martyred after being repeatedly struck on the head with stones. He said that the mob not only killed Shabbir Baloch but also desecrated his body.
When the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) announced its “Raji Muchi” protest in Gwadar, the government barred the group from staging a sit-in there due to security concerns and the potential impact on economic activities. At the time, Gwadar was scheduled to host important visits by Chinese engineers and foreign delegations. The administration therefore offered BYC leaders alternative venues in Turbat or Khuzdar for their protest.
However, according to security anlaysts, BYC’s objective was to use the protest as a cover to provide an opportunity for BLA terrorists to carry out acts of terrorism within the crowd. Analysts maintain that the nexus between BYC and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) had already been exposed when, following the Jaffar Express attack, Mahrang Baloch allegedly stormed the Civil Hospital and took away the bodies of the slain attackers.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti had previously described the killing of FC soldier Shabbir Baloch as a grave act of violence and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Dr. Mahrang belongs to the Langove tribe of Manguchar in Balochistan’s Kalat district. Her father, Abdul Ghaffar Langov, was employed by WAPDA and was also a member of the banned Baloch Liberation Army. Abdul Ghaffar Langove was a senior BLA commander involved in numerous attacks against state institutions.
