ISLAMABAD: The rise of women suicide bombers in Balochistan has alarmed Pakistan’s security officials, who say militant groups are using women to widen their influence and strengthen recruitment.
In images released by insurgents, Yasma Baloch and her husband, Waseem, appear in military-style clothing with rifles on their shoulders. They smile for the camera before what the group described as their final mission — suicide bombings. Reuters could not independently verify the images, but analysts believe they are part of a planned propaganda campaign linked to the Balochistan insurgency.
Propaganda and Recruitment Strategy
Interior Minister of State Talal Chaudhry said the growing role of women helps insurgent groups gain attention and sympathy. According to him, the presence of women suicide bombers in Balochistan sends a strong signal to local communities.
“It increases their reach and shows that the conflict has entered family spaces,” Talal told Reuters. He added that Pakistan has raised concerns with several social media companies over insurgent recruitment online.
January Attacks Mark a Shift
Security officials say the threat became more visible in January. During that month, six women took part in the largest wave of BLA militant attacks in the province. Three of them carried out suicide bombings. The attacks killed 58 people and brought daily life in parts of Balochistan to a halt.
Hamza Shafaat, a senior government official, said official records showed only five confirmed cases of female militants involved in suicide attacks before January, including the first such incident in 2022. In recent months, Pakistan counterterrorism forces also arrested three women before they could carry out planned attacks.
Advanced Weapons and New Tactics
Experts say the involvement of women has strengthened a movement already growing in power. The government believes the Baloch Liberation Army has gained access to US weapons left behind in Afghanistan after the American withdrawal in 2021.
Abdul Basit, a researcher at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, described the BLA as South Asia’s most organised and lethal insurgent group. He said the group now uses drones to track troop movements and spot weaknesses.
Basit also pointed to a February 2025 train hijacking involving more than 400 passengers. Militants reportedly used satellite communication during the operation, highlighting the rising threat linked to women suicide bombers in Balochistan and the wider insurgency.
Security Challenge Ahead
Officials warn that the growing presence of women in suicide attacks, combined with online propaganda and modern technology, has made the Balochistan insurgency harder to contain. Pakistan’s security agencies say addressing this evolving threat remains a major challenge.