My real life is about to begin today

Written by Mirain Baloch

This article offers a glimpse into the life of Fidayeen Mahal Baloch, alias Zilan Kurd. In honouring her legacy, we respond to the request of our Kurdish revolutionary comrades to commemorate the symbol of unity between Baloch and Kurdish national liberation struggles. We deeply admire their revolutionary spirit and their aspiration to forge bonds between oppressed nations battling colonialist forces. The sacrifices we endure, and the pain we bear, strengthen our collective consciousness as we march toward liberation.

Fidayeen Mahal Baloch expressed this unity in her revolutionary words when asked about her chosen alias, Zilan Kurd (1). She declared, “I want to convey this message to the activists involved in the struggle for the independence of Kurdistan that we, too, are a brave and fearless nation like them and are engaged in a battle against the enemy for our freedom. I want to inform them about the Baloch national movement through my actions.” Her words, and her historic actions, have left an eternal mark on the histories of both the Baloch and Kurdish liberation movements, serving as a powerful emblem of solidarity between these oppressed nations.

Like the Kurdish people, the Baloch nation has endured the scourge of colonization for over a century and a half. Once an independent and sovereign Nation, Balochistan was first colonized by British imperialists, who reshaped its socio-political and geographical landscape. To solidify their exploitation, Baloch territory was forcibly partitioned, divided among Afghanistan, Iran, and British Balochistan, stripping the Baloch nation of its unity and sovereignty.

In the aftermath of World War II, fearing the rise of international communism, European capitalists and particularly the British conspired to undermine Balochistan’s independence. This resulted in the Pakistani occupation of Balochistan on March 28, 1948, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the colonization of Baloch Nation. To this day, imperialist powers, especially expansionist China, support the Pakistani colonial army in its brutal suppression of the Baloch national movement, perpetuating genocide and exploitation.

Despite this, the Baloch people have fiercely resisted. Since the early 2000s, the resistance has intensified, with political and military organizations uniting under a common cause. The Pakistani state has responded with ruthless violence: military offensives, mass graves, enforced disappearances, and the brutal display of mutilated bodies. Among the countless brave souls who stood against this tyranny was Fidayeen Mahal Baloch, a glorious example of resistance and sacrifice.

Born on March 16, 2002, in Surbandan, Gwadar a picturesque fishing village by the shores of Bahr-e-Baloch (Baloch Sea) where Mahal Baloch grew up surrounded by natural beauty and revolutionary uprisings. 

Encircled by the sea and Mount Mhedi, life flows calmly, but its people live under the shadow of oppression enduring a silent genocide and ecocide. From a young age, Mahal demonstrated exceptional courage, leadership, and dedication. She began her early education at Oasis School in Gwadar. After completing her Matriculation, she enrolled at the Government Girls Inter College, Gwadar. For higher education, she joined the School of Law at the University of Turbat. Her academic excellence earned her the title of “best student,” while her peers affectionately called her the “favourite among the students” and a “natural leader.”

Mahal was a charming soul with an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a love for reading and writing. Her personal collection of books included revolutionary literature from figures such as Maxim Gorky, Frantz Fanon, Paulo Freire, and Leila Khalid. Reflecting on her passion for reading, she wrote in her diary: “I read passionately because books give us noble thoughts and ideas. Due to constantly reading, revolutionary sentiments within me strengthened, and I became more conscious about my land and my people. This is why reading books plays an important role in our lives.”

She was not only a devoted reader but also an aspiring writer. Mahal enjoyed narrating fictional stories, collecting old Balochi folk tales, and writing about the natural beauty surrounding her. Her deep connection to Mother Nature inspired much of her personal diary, where she captured the essence of her beloved homeland. She also had a creative side that brought joy to her companions. Mahal handcrafted colorful cards, keychains from threads, and beautiful objects made from seashells, which she lovingly gifted to her comrades on birthdays and special occasions. From a young age, she displayed a passion for collecting unique items, such as handicrafts, letters, autographs, and seashells, cherishing the small wonders of life.

Living in a colonial society where patriarchy and oppression are manifested by colonial structures, Mahal reflected on the societal barriers she faced as a young girl: “My favourite sport is football. My father and grandpa were both footballers. It was my wish to become a footballer, knowing that no one will help me because we live in such a society where girls are not encouraged to play football. Sometimes we have to follow society, and I know this wish will never come true. Sometimes our wishes remain incomplete.”

Mahal’s writings offer thoughtful and compelling wisdom about her revolutionary journey. She wrote: “I hate oppression and subjugation, which have turned my nation into misery and suffering. We are not given our rights within our land. Day in and day out, we are forced into oppression. I love liberation—the liberation after which my entire nation can live in peace and sovereignty within their land.”

Witnessing the injustices faced by Baloch and oppressed peoples of the world deeply shaped Mahal’s consciousness. She saw the elderly humiliated, the youth abducted, and intellectuals, writers, and educators brutally murdered. Among the many tragedies she endured was the martyrdom of her beloved teacher and school founder, Sir Zahid Askani Baloch, a visionary educator who was assassinated by the Pakistani military and its secret services. Such events ignited in Mahal a fiery determination to fight for her nation’s dignity and freedom.

In her personal reflections, recorded in her diary, Mahal laid bare the anguish of her people: “The oppressors have snatched all happiness from the lives of the Baloch. Today, every Baloch household is in mourning. The misery and suffering that a Baloch endures are unimaginable. With each passing day, a son is abducted, and their mutilated bodies are discarded. Witnessing such brutalities, my tears have dried up; I can weep no more. Yet, I remain hopeful that the days of oppression are nearing their end. Every Baloch—children, men, women, and youth—will come together to craft a solution. A new dawn will break soon.” This combination of love and hatred defined Mahal’s revolutionary journey: love for her people and hatred for their oppressors.

Mahal Baloch, along with her eight Fidayeen comrades of the Majeed Brigade (Baloch Liberation Army’s self-sacrificing unit), initiated Operation Herof (Black Storm) on 25th of August 2024, the deadliest operation in terms of scale and intensity in the history of the Baloch national struggle against Pakistani occupiers. Martyr Fidayee Mahal Baloch following in the footsteps of her predecessors, the brave Baloch women Fidayee Shari Baloch and Fidayee Summaiya Qalandrani Baloch, joined the Baloch Liberation Army in 2022 and, after a year, dedicated her services to the Majeed Brigade. Mahal Baloch began Operation Herof by driving a six-hundred-kilogram explosive-laden car to the Bela Headquarters of the Pakistani Army, targeting the central gate of the camp. This decisive act enabled her fellow Fidayeen to breach the enemy camp with ease. Due to her timely and effective blow to the colonialist forces, the other brave sons of Baloch Nation managed to capture and hold key positions within the army headquarters for over twenty hours.

A few hours before the start of Operation Herof, all the Fidayeen (self-sacrificing fighters) sat together, chatting and sharing their thoughts. Fidayee Junaid Zehri asked the group, “What does life mean to you?” Each Fidayee responded to the question in their own way. Finally, Fidayee Mahal Baloch replied, “The life before this wasn’t life. My real life is about to begin today.”

After a brief pause, Mahal added, “I want my last meal to be my favorite biryani, which I will cook myself and share with all my fellow Fidayeen.” Smiling, Mahal stood up and began preparing the biryani, with all the Fidayeen joining in to help her. They laughed and talked as they cooked together. When the biryani was ready, they shared it as their final meal, cherishing the moment together. Afterward, they began their preparations and embarked on the mission.

Mahal Baloch’s life, actions, and legacy serve as a symbol of the resolute solidarity between the Baloch and Kurdish liberation movements. 

Her message resonates across borders, reminding us that the fight for justice and freedom is universal, and the spirit of resistance knows no bounds

(1) Zilan was the alias of Zeynep Kınacı, a young Kurdish female militant of the PKK that, without telling anyone of what she was planning, carried out a successful self-sacrifical attack against Turkish soldiers on the 30th of June 1996. The action was a turning point for the Kurdish Freedom Movement and the letters she wrote explaining her action became a “manifesto for life” that inspired generations of young people, especially young women, to fight for their freedom.