For the past two decades, Balochistan has ceased to be merely a geographical region; it has become a complex test case of the relationship between the state, society, and security. The most misleading aspect of the situation in this province is the narrative persistently promoted by armed terrorist groups, in which they present themselves as the sole guardians of Baloch rights and as symbols of resistance against state oppression. However, when the dust of emotional slogans, social media propaganda, and half-truths is brushed aside and ground realities and official statistics are examined, this narrative collapses under its own weight.

Official records for the year 2025 provide clear evidence that the largest victims of terrorism in Balochistan have been the local Baloch and Pashtun population themselves. According to the data, 126 attacks were carried out on local civilians in a single year, resulting in 35 deaths and 51 injuries. These are not just numbers; they represent lives that left their homes in search of employment, education, medical treatment, or routine daily activities, only to return as corpses or with permanent disabilities. In contrast, the groups that terrorists portray as the primary targets of their so-called resistance settlers, particularly Punjabis were subjected to far fewer attacks. This disparity fundamentally undermines the claim that terrorism is a structured response against a single community or group.

This wave of violence recognizes no ethnic, linguistic, or regional boundaries. Attacks on public infrastructure, such as the railway system, are a stark example. Targeting trains is not merely an assault on a symbol of the state; it paralyzes life for thousands of ordinary citizens. Laborers, students, patients, and poor travelers who cannot afford expensive alternatives are all caught in the crossfire. Communication links are disrupted, economic activity suffers, and the province is pushed further into isolation. These consequences bear no resemblance to any legitimate struggle for public welfare or rights.

When another dimension of the statistics is examined, the picture becomes even clearer. The scale and intensity of attacks on security forces, police, and the Levies demonstrate that the real objective of terrorist groups is to dismantle the entire framework of peace and order. Hundreds of attacks on the Frontier Corps, and the martyrdom of dozens of police and Levies personnel, indicate that anyone representing law, security, and governance is being targeted to weaken the writ of the state. Most of these personnel also belong to Balochistan itself, sacrificing their lives to maintain peace in their own communities. This reality further exposes the false claim that terrorists represent the Baloch people, when in practice they are killing Baloch youth themselves.

According to analysts, the indiscriminate nature of this violence reflects a deep ideological vacuum. Where there is no clear political program, no genuine public support, and no constructive path forward, violence becomes the sole mode of expression. This is why attacks are carried out at random sometimes on passengers, sometimes on laborers, sometimes on schools, sometimes on railway lines, and sometimes on security forces. Such actions yield no political success; instead, they generate fear, mistrust, and economic stagnation, with ordinary Baloch and Pashtun citizens paying the heaviest price.

This situation presents a dual challenge for the provincial government and state institutions. On one hand, firm and effective counterterrorism measures are unavoidable; on the other, there is an equally urgent need to dismantle the ideological narrative that misleads young people. The recent increase in intelligence-based operations, improved inter-institutional coordination, and enhanced protection of sensitive areas indicate that the state is moving beyond reactive measures toward a proactive strategy. Nevertheless, alongside the use of force, the dissemination of truth remains just as essential.

In light of the statistics, it is imperative to place this reality before the public: the greatest victims of terrorism are the very people in whose name this war is claimed to be fought. When Baloch and Pashtun civilians, laborers, travelers, and local law enforcement personnel are being targeted on a daily basis, describing this violence as a struggle for rights is nothing more than deception. Genuine rights are linked to peace, education, healthcare, employment, and safe travel and terrorism negates all of them.

The solution to Balochistan’s problems does not lie in the barrel of a gun, but in truth, justice, development, and transparent state governance. Yet to move forward on this path, the false narrative that glorifies violence as resistance and murder as struggle must first be buried. The statistics of 2025 constitute a solid indictment of this lie. They make it clear that terrorism in Balochistan is not directed against a single group or identity, but against human life itself. If this truth becomes part of the collective consciousness, not only can the fight against terrorism be strengthened, but the people of Balochistan may finally receive the security and dignity they so deeply deserve.