Fact-check: False claims link Balochistan woman suicide bomber to missing person
The Mahal Baloch, released on bail by Balochistan High Court last year, is still alive and appeared in an Anti-Terrorism Court in Quetta on August 29
Updated Wednesday Sep 04 2024
On August 26, Balochistan reported several incidents of violence, including a suicide attack on a security forces compound in the Lasbela district of the province. The banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) later identified one of the suicide bombers as a woman named Mahal Baloch.
Following the BLA’s statement, online posts began claiming that Mahal Baloch was the same woman recently released on bail by the Balochistan High Court.
The claims are false.
Claim
On August 26, an X (formerly Twitter) user criticised journalist Hamid Mir and rights activist Mahrang Baloch for advocating on behalf of victims of enforced disappearances.
“This is your missing persons’ narrative Hamid Mir,” the user wrote in Urdu, “Three months back Pakistani agencies picked up the bomber Mahal Baloch, but Hamid Mir and Mahrang Baloch made a fuss that they are picking up women. Today this Mahal Baloch conducted a suicide attack.”
The user also accused the journalist and the rights activist of supporting “terrorists” and included images of the suicide bomber Mahal Baloch.
Similar claims were shared here, here and here.
Fact
Although both women share the name Mahal Baloch, they are not the same person.
The Mahal Baloch released on bail by the Balochistan High Court last year is still alive and appeared in an Anti-Terrorism Court in Quetta on August 29. She is scheduled to appear again on September 11, confirmed her lawyer.
Imran Baloch, a Quetta-based lawyer representing this Mahal Baloch, explained that the Mahal Baloch identified as a suicide bomber is from Gwadar, while his client is from Turbat. He also noted that the suicide bomber was reportedly a 23-year-old law student; whereas, his client is a 30-year-old widow with two children.
Mahal Baloch from Turbat faces charges of carrying a suicide jacket, which she denies. On May 10, 2023, a two-judge bench of the High Court granted her bail.
She is the same woman that rights activists were raising their voice for.
Imran Baloch even provided a picture of his client to Geo Fact Check. There is no resemblance between his client and the image of the suicide bomber shared by the BLA.
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