Writer: Kifayat Baloch
Today is February 11, 2025, marking the third martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Hidayatullah, also known as Balach. Three years have passed since his physical departure, but his ideology remains alive. His ideological comrades are those who continue to fight for the freedom of Balochistan in the mountains. Whether armed or engaged in political struggle, all who fight for a free Balochistan are his ideological companions.
This morning, as I woke up, I felt an urge to look at old photographs. As I scrolled through them one by one, I came across pictures of Balach, and memories of him began to flood my mind. In one picture, Balach is sitting on a mountain in Balochistan, eating dry bread with lentils. This image speaks volumes about the love and devotion of Baloch fighters for their homeland. It reflects the hardships they endure for their cause. In another picture, Shaheed Balach is smiling while holding a gun in his lap. That smile was a testament to his unwavering commitment—proof that, for him, such sacrifices were nothing in comparison to the love for his motherland.
I remember one day when Shaheed Balach called me. I told him, “You are fighting a war, and war is exhausting. You should take some rest.”
He replied, “Believe me, when we are on a journey or returning from battle, when we sit in the shade of these trees and mountains, we feel as if we are in heaven. It gives us peace.” Then he added, “This war is a duty for the Baloch nation because our homeland has been occupied. Therefore, we have no choice but to fight.”
I reminded him, “Resistance is a long process, but you are still young. You don’t have to fight now.”
He answered, “The fight for our motherland does not depend on age—it requires strong willpower and consciousness.”
Smiling, I said, “Okay, when Balochistan is free, we will return to our motherland together.”
With a smile, he replied, “Yes, all birds return home in pleasant weather.”
After that phone call, I thought about how difficult life in the mountains must be. Those who endure such hardships for the cause deserve the highest respect. Shaheed Balach was young, but his beliefs were firm.
Shaheed Balach was born in Darmakol, Kech, into a family of martyrs and revolutionaries. He was related to Shaheed Naseer Kamalan, a poet and political figure, and his uncle, Shaheed Kamal Kahodai, a Baloch intellectual and revolutionary poet. His cousin Ikram was a student associated with BSO-Azad, while two other cousins, Shaheed Sameer and Shaheed Islam, were freedom fighters. His brother Shujahat was also part of the Baloch freedom movement and was martyred. His elder brother Enayat was abducted in 2015 and remains missing to this day. Being born into such a family is both an honor and a responsibility. It was no surprise that at the age of fifteen, Balach went to the mountains to fight for Balochistan’s freedom.
I remember him telling me that when he first joined the resistance, some comrades doubted he would last because of his young age. But his love for his motherland was strong, and he persevered until his martyrdom.
He always said, “This is an intellectual war; it never ends. Some friends will be martyred, others will take their place, and the caravan will continue.” Whenever we spoke, I would tell him to take care of himself and his comrades. He would always assure me, “Yes, we are taking care of each other”.
One day, he said to me, “You are my elder brother, so I want to tell you something. This is war—one can be killed, captured, or injured, and must be prepared to endure everything. I will not live to see the day of my burial. My biggest wish is to die with my gun in my hand and my body resting on my motherland.”
I told him, “This is a long struggle, and we need to move forward step by step.”
Hearing his words filled me with pride. I felt blessed that Almighty Allah had given me a brave brother like Balach, who was dedicated to the Baloch national struggle and strong enough to face any challenge.
Once, he told me about a particularly difficult night. “While we were traveling, heavy rain poured down. Our bikes got stuck in the water, and our blankets were drenched. It was night, and we couldn’t even light a fire. We spent the entire night soaked and shivering in the cold rain.”
Shaheed Balach loved his motherland deeply. Even when he fell ill and had to leave for treatment, he never felt at ease away from Balochistan. Whenever I asked about his health, he would say, “I’ll complete my treatment soon and return.” I would insist that he rest, but he always replied, “A slave nation needs struggle more than rest.” Baloch fighters cannot bear to stay away from their homeland.
Then, on February 11, a friend texted me: “How are you?”
“I’m fine,” I replied.
He responded, “Balach has been martyred.”
I asked, “Which Balach?”—because in Balochistan, many sons of the soil are named Balach.
Then he said, “Your younger brother.”
At first, I couldn’t believe it. I asked him for proof, for any photos or news confirming it. Then, I recalled Balach’s words: My biggest wish is to die with my gun in my hand and my body resting on my motherland.
When I finally saw the photo, I accepted the painful truth—my brother had been martyred for a free Balochistan. For a moment, it felt as if the ground had disappeared beneath my feet.
Today, Balach is not physically among us, but as long as Baloch continue their struggle for freedom, Balach lives on. Balach is still fighting.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Balochistan Post or any of its editors.