Khadija Peer Jan and Safia Abdul Khaliq publicly spoke about their involvement with banned terrorist networks, how they were recruited, and why they ultimately rejected that path. Their accounts highlight how ordinary young women can be drawn into terrorism through family relationships, emotional influence and manipulation.
The missing-persons propaganda
For months, the names of Khadija Peer Jan and Safia Abdul Khaliq were featured in a missing-persons narrative. At a Quetta press conference, however, their own accounts described their involvement with banned networks and their decision to break away from them.
Recruitment starts through trust and relationships. Khadija, a nursing student from Tump, Turbat, said her husband was associated with a banned organisation BLF and first influenced her brother before drawing her into the network. Her account highlights how personal and family relationships can be exploited to recruit young women.
From nursing student to terrorist operative
Khadija said she was drawn into anti-state activities and later admitted involvement in the Nokkundi blast. She subsequently expressed regret and appealed to other Baloch youth not to become involved in such activities. A young woman preparing for a profession centred on saving lives was pushed towards terrorism.
How suicide bombers are made: Safia explains
Safia, from Basima, said her cousin associated with the BLA introduced her to the network, while a BLA commander provided her with a new phone and instructed her to learn driving for a vehicle-borne suicide attack. What began as recruitment progressed into preparation for a terrorist operation.
Baloch women are cannon fodder for terrorists
The most disturbing element is the preparation of a young woman for a suicide mission. Those directing such operations remain behind the scenes while young women are pushed towards death. The people designing these missions do not put themselves in the blast zone; they use others to execute their hostile objectives.
Suicide bombers distort Baloch culture
The glorification or recruitment of suicide bombers leaves a deep stain on society. Turning young women, and even minors, into instruments of death is the destruction of human potential. Their families also bear the consequences, alongside the innocent victims of terrorism.
Terrorism in Balochistan: The pattern
The September accounts come amid earlier cases in which authorities foiled plans involving women and girls in suicide terrorism by the proscribed BLA. A potential female suicide bomber was arrested in Khuzdar in March 2026, while two girls, aged 16 and 12, were rescued in August before they could be used in suicide attacks. Preventing a recruit from being turned into an attacker means preventing another potential tragedy for families and communities.
Who should sacrifice?
The accounts raise a fundamental question: if these commanders consider the cause so sacred and the sacrifice so necessary, why are their own children not sent to the front line or on suicide missions? Why is the ultimate sacrifice demanded from ordinary Baloch sons and daughters?
From revenge to regret?
Khadija and Safia both expressed regret over their reported association with banned organisations and appealed to other Baloch youth not to be misled. Their accounts underline the human cost of recruitment: young lives diverted from education, family and opportunity towards terrorism and destruction.
Distortion of faith and culture
Turning young women into instruments of violence and suicide attacks goes against the values of both Baloch culture and Islam, where women are associated with dignity, honour, and protection.
