Brutal Double Killing in Balochistan Sparks Outrage and Demands for Justice

Download IPFS

Authorities in Pakistan’s Balochistan province have arrested at least 14 suspects following a disturbing double murder that took place near Quetta and was later broadcast across social media. The video showed the calculated shooting of a woman and a man, later identified as Bano Bibi and Ihsanullah, in a desert-like area, allegedly as a form of tribal punishment. The event reportedly occurred days before Eid al-Adha (an Islamic holiday celebrated in June this year), but only gained national attention after the gruesome footage went viral.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti confirmed the arrests and vowed that all those involved would face legal consequences. Speaking at a press conference, Bugti reiterated that no one would be spared from the law, regardless of tribal affiliations or social status. The case has drawn scrutiny from the Balochistan High Court (BHC), where Chief Justice Rozi Khan Barrech took suo motu (Latin for “on its motion”) notice of the case, ordering senior security officials to appear before the bench with updates on the investigation.

The killings are under investigation by the Serious Crimes Investigation Wing (SCIW), a specialized unit in Pakistan’s police structure responsible for probing high-profile criminal cases. Investigation Officer Naveed Akhtar told the media that the murders occurred in the Degari area, located on the outskirts of Quetta. A forensic team collected physical evidence and interviewed tribal elders and witnesses to piece together the timeline and motive.

Authorities believe the woman’s brother carried out the killing under orders from tribal leadership, specifically from Sardar Sher Baz Satakzai, a local chieftain. Satakzai has since been taken into custody and appeared in court, where a judge ordered the exhumation of the victims’ bodies for an autopsy. A female police surgeon confirmed that Bano Bibi had sustained seven bullet wounds, consistent with an execution-style killing.

The First Information Report (FIR, Pakistan’s equivalent of an initial police report) names eight individuals, while 15 others remain unidentified. The fact that many of those responsible have yet to be named or found raises serious concerns about how deeply entrenched tribal customs continue to interfere with the rule of law, especially in more remote regions.

Perhaps most chilling was the content of the video, which not only displayed the killings but also highlighted the disturbing rituals behind them. In the footage, Bano Bibi, wrapped in a shawl, is seen handing over a copy of the Quran and asking the man to “walk seven steps” before he shoots her, possibly a reference to a ritual or symbolic act. She remained composed and did not plead for mercy. After being shot multiple times, she fell to the ground, while several bystanders, some arriving in pickup trucks and SUVs, watched in silence.

Officials suspect the killings may have been framed as a so-called “honor” punishment, a practice that continues in parts of Pakistan despite national and international condemnation. What sets this incident apart, however, is the public nature of the execution and the fact that it was recorded and disseminated online. Intended to send a message.

While Pakistan’s judiciary has stepped in quickly in this case, critics argue that the federal government’s response has been muted. The current administration, led largely by members with pro-immigration and populist leanings, has done little to push for real reforms in tribal justice systems or enforce stronger protections for vulnerable citizens. especially women, in rural areas. It’s a reminder that cosmetic changes in governance mean little without real accountability.

As the investigation continues, the public demands not just arrests, but lasting structural change. The people of Balochistan, and Pakistan more broadly, deserve a justice system that protects the innocent, not one that turns a blind eye to medieval codes disguised as culture.