Infamous Katcha dacoit and Youtuber killed by police while PTI followers call him a ‘martyr’

Infamous riverine bandit and social media personality Shahid Lund Baloch was killed in a police encounter in a joint operation by Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur police forces on Friday, while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) followers expressed regret over his death.

Baloch, a notorious criminal, had recently established his own social media presence, where he expressed his views on the socio-political affairs in the country while expressing his support for Bushra Bibi and Khan.

In a short clip of Shahid Baloch being shared by PTI followers on social media, the dacoit stated, “You people are warning me that ‘Vigo people’ would abduct me; let me make it clear for you guys, nobody can do anything like that in our territory. They would have to pay for it. All of you PTI supporters, whether you’re in or outside the country, you people are in my heart.”

“You [PTI followers] people have experienced the worst of oppression by the state. Quran tells us that even if you’re fighting kafirs, women and children must never be involved. But our government leaders have targeted your woman and children as well,” remarked the bandit.

Baloch was wanted by police for over 28 major offences, including the killing of police personnel, terrorism, kidnapping for ransom, attacks on police, murder, and armed robbery. Numerous cases against him were registered across various police stations in the Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur districts.

However, Baloch’s social media presence garnered support from some netizens as he shared his perspective on numerous topics, including the human rights situation in Balochistan. When Mahrang Baloch was leading a long march in Islamabad for the rights of missing persons, Shahid recorded a video in which he stated, “We have no connection with them, but our Baloch tradition teaches us to stand for truth. I urge the Baloch people to wake up and fight for their rights. It’s better to die fighting oppression and injustice than sitting in your homes. We ourselves are helpless and trapped in these jungles while thousands of accusations are put on us by the state; otherwise, I would march to Islamabad myself, along with hundreds of followers, to make this movement a success.”

The outlaw was an open supporter of PTI while, in one video, even warned the institutions, saying, “Army and ISI, listen to me. If you try to kill Imran Khan, you will not be spared. God bless Pakistan.”

In another audio clip that went viral on social media, a man, allegedly Shahid Lund Baloch, could be heard asking for the establishment of a children’s school in the riverine area. “I wanted to request that you promise me that a school will be built for the children and that people will be happy to hear the news. If this problem isn’t solved, then it would be a shame for us. At least 35 children are waiting for your help. Apart from that, more children near our area need education,” stated the man in the audio.

One social media user posted on X, “He was definitely a bandit, but he was also a victim of social and economic inequality.”

Another user posted, “Today, for the first time after hearing the news of the death of bandit Shahid Lind Baloch, I visited his YouTube channel 11 hours ago he shared this video. May Allah forgive you. Amen.”

A PTI leader from Kohat, Aman Afridi, posted, “For 30 years, he was a robber and robbed the common people; no one said anything. Now, guess for yourself, it is not a difficult task to eliminate the criminals who commit theft, robbery and murder around us, but we common people are not included in the interest system of the elites, so this system never moves with our theft, robbery or murder. Shahid Lund Baloch could have lived longer if he had shared in the loot instead of challenging this criminalized system. Copy.”

Another PTI follower by the handle username meddy tweets condemned the death of Baloch, writing, “We will write Shahid Lund Baloch as Shaheed. May Allah forgive him.”

One user wrote: “Shahid Lund Baloch Shaheed. They killed him because he was speaking the truth, speaking the truth bluntly to unholy powers. They killed him because people were listening to him. #ShahidLundBaloch Rest in Peace.”

PTI followers also shared another recent clip of the outlaw with PTI flags in the background in which he said, “I pay my respects to Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. She has suffered so much with patience. She is a pious woman and any allegations against her character by the government are useless. She has been released from Adiala Jail, and InshaAllah, Imran Khan will be released soon as well.”

In one of the most interesting posts by a netizen, user Azeem Sabzwari had described the historical and cultural significance of local vigilantes or outlaws. In a long thread on September 2, Sabzwari narrated: “This reminds me of Malangi (1890s – 1927), who was a bandit during the British occupation of Punjab. He was known as 'Robinhood' in his native district of Kasur. Punjab has a folklore tradition of appreciating bandits who defied the British occupiers & sided with the commoners.”

“Dacoits or bandits emerge out of a political context.  Nizam Lohar and Malangi were both products of the feudalisation of Punjabi society by the British. The same is true of Shahid Lund Baloch who will either be killed or co-opted by those at the helm in Punjab of Pakistan,” predicted this social media user two months ago.