The case of Sohaib Langov, a man who was hailed as a victim of enforced disappearance for years, sheds light on a disturbing aspect of modern-day activism intertwined with terrorism. His story is not just about a missing individual, but also about the manipulation of public perception, propaganda, and the complex intersection of militant operations and human rights advocacy.
Sohaib Langov’s name was regularly mentioned by Dr. Mahrang Baloch and her associates, especially through the Baloch Yakjethee Council (BYC) and their media wings like Panak and Baam, as one of the countless “enforced disappearances” carried out by the state. For years, Langov was depicted as a victim of state brutality, and his story was presented as one of oppression and injustice.
However, the reality paints a very different picture. The narrative of him being a “disappeared person” began to crumble following his death on July 21, 2025, during a terrorist operation by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in the Kalat region. Despite his death, the propaganda continued. The BYC, along with its media outlets, went as far as claiming that Langov had been “abducted” from the Saryab Road area in Quetta on July 24, three days after he had already been confirmed dead.
The True Identity of Sohaib Langov
Sohaib Langov was not an innocent victim but a registered terrorist associated with the BLA. According to official sources and the BLA’s own acknowledgment, Langov was an important operative for the militant group. He played a significant role in the organization’s operations, participating in several violent activities aimed at destabilizing the region and challenging the state.
Langov was closely linked to Dr. Mahrang Baloch, and was known to be both a relative and a personal guard of Dr. Baloch. He frequently participated in Baloch Yakjethee Committee protests, sit-ins, and demonstrations organized by the BYC, presenting himself as an advocate for Baloch rights while simultaneously engaging in violent acts. His dual role as a “freedom fighter” on the one hand and a terrorist operative on the other was carefully concealed by the propaganda machinery of the Baloch Yakjethee committee.
A Pattern of Deception
The case of Sohaib Langov is not an isolated one. Several other “missing persons” touted as victims by the separatist groups have also been revealed to have ties to militant activities. In recent years, there have been multiple instances where individuals identified as missing were later confirmed to be either dead or involved in acts of terrorism.
- Kareem Jan was linked to the 2024 attack on Gwadar and was portrayed as a victim of enforced disappearance.
- Abdul Wadud was allegedly involved in the attack on the Navy Base.
- Wadud Sattakzai was another key figure in the Mach massacre.
All of these individuals were celebrated by terrorist’s martyrs, only for their true identities to later emerge as terrorists involved in violent operations against the state.
The Propaganda Machinery:
The BYC, along with media outlets such as Panak and Baam, have been instrumental in shaping the narrative of these individuals as victims. They have used the emotional appeal of human rights to gain international sympathy, portraying the actions of terrorists as part of a struggle for freedom and justice, while obscuring the fact that many of these individuals were heavily involved in terrorist activities.
The manipulation of human rights discourse to shield terrorists has been a common tactic employed by these groups to further their political agenda.
The Role of Dr. Mahrang Baloch
Dr. Mahrang Baloch, has been at the forefront of defending and promoting the stories of these so-called “missing persons.” His role in perpetuating the myth of Sohaib Langov as a victim is crucial in understanding the larger picture of BYC and its propaganda strategy.
Mahrang Baloch has used her position to not only shield Langov and other terrorists from accountability but also to present their violent actions as acts of resistance. By portraying these individuals as innocents wronged by the state, she has contributed to the ongoing misinformation campaign that has plagued the Balochistan issue.
