The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday announced that security forces had arrested four alleged “militants” in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district, claiming they were caught attempting to flee while disguised in women’s clothing. In its statement, the ISPR linked the individuals to “Fitna al Hindustan” – the label Pakistani officials now routinely use for Baloch “pro-independence” groups, which they allege are backed and financed by India, though no evidence has been presented to substantiate the claim. The military further asserted that the four detainees had been “actively involved in numerous terrorist activities” in the area, adding that weapons and ammunition were also recovered during the operation.
However, questions have been raised about the credibility of the military’s claims. The four detainees shown in the image released by the ISPR appear to be very young, seemingly no older than 16, with no beards and barely visible mustaches, casting doubt on whether they were seasoned “militants”, as the ISPR’s statement claims. They were also presented wearing women’s clothing over their regular clothes, an unusual choice if concealment had been the intent, since two layers of clothing would have made them easily noticeable.
More significantly, there is no precedent for Baloch “pro-independence” fighters attempting to disguise themselves in women’s attire in order to escape. On the contrary, they are known to keep a single bullet set aside for themselves, to be used in case of capture – a practice that underscores their determination not to be taken alive.
The arrests come as Khuzdar’s tehsil Zehri remains under an intense military operation. The entire district has been placed under an internet blackout, making it virtually impossible to independently verify the ISPR’s claims. Rights groups have in the past accused the Pakistani military of presenting civilians, including minors, as militants during counterinsurgency campaigns in Balochistan.
The ongoing military offensive in Zehri has seen large-scale ground deployments supported by armored vehicles and aerial firepower, with reports of fierce clashes between Pakistani forces and Baloch armed groups. A drone strike in the area on Tuesday was reported to have killed four civilians, though the identities of the victims have yet to be confirmed. With communications blacked out and ground routes sealed, independent verification of casualties, arrests, or the overall scale of the operation remains impossible.