Photo by Arif ALI. Video by Muhammad DAUD.
With a showman’s flair and a flamboyant outlaw’s moustache, the notorious Pakistani gangster brazenly dials the hotline featured on his own most wanted notice — defiantly taunting the authorities who have placed a hefty bounty on his head.
In a provocative social media clip, Shahid Lund Baloch locks eyes with the camera, challenging not just the official on the line but his legion of thousands of followers, asking pointedly: “Do you understand my circumstances or the motivations that led me to take up arms?”
The elusive 28-year-old is believed to be hiding within the expansive riverine terrain of central Punjab, a region historically known to offer sanctuary to outlaws and bandits — leveraging the power of the internet to both enthral and exploit citizens, as per police reports.
On platforms like TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, he captivates tens of thousands with compelling messages delivered while brandishing a weapon, all while romanticising the hardships of his rural lifestyle and skillfully crafting an image as a self-proclaimed champion of the oppressed.
Despite his charismatic online persona, he is wanted for a staggering 28 criminal cases, including grievous offenses such as murder, abduction, and violent attacks on police officers — with a staggering 10 million rupee ($36,000) bounty hanging over his head.
“Those observing from a distance may perceive him as a hero, but the people living here understand the harsh truth; he is anything but a savior,” remarked Javed Dhillon, a former lawmaker hailing from the Rahim Yar Khan district, which is in close proximity to Baloch’s hideouts and others like him. “These communities have suffered the brunt of his cruelty and violence.”
Baloch reportedly resides on a sandy island in the “Katcha lands,” a term that roughly translates to “backwaters,” nestled along the Indus River, which cuts through Pakistan from north to south.
The fertile yet treacherous landscape is characterized by towering crops that provide ample cover for ambushes, while seasonal waterways frequently shift, complicating the pursuit of criminal activities ranging from kidnapping to highway robbery and smuggling.
Strategically located at the crossroads of three out of Pakistan’s four provinces, gangs comprising hundreds of members have effectively exploited the systemic inefficiencies and poor coordination among various police forces over the decades.
“The natural features of these lands are a boon for criminals,” noted senior police officer Naveed Wahla. “They can easily conceal themselves in water turbines, navigate via boats, or hide amidst dense sugarcane fields.”
Attempts to restore law and order through sweeping police operations and even military interventions, such as the army incursion in 2016, have largely proven ineffective. Just this August, a brutal rocket attack on a police convoy resulted in the tragic loss of 12 officers’ lives.
“In the current climate, only fear and terror prevail,” lamented Haq Nawaz, whose adult son fell victim to abduction late September, demanded for a ransom he can ill afford, amounting to five million rupees. “There is no one to advocate for our well-being,” he ardently complains.
However, the machinations of these gangs have increasingly found a foothold online.
Some nefarious individuals leverage the internet to orchestrate “honey traps,” luring potential kidnap victims by masquerading as romantic suitors, business partners, or by advertising unrealistically low prices on tractors or vehicles.
Others have been known to parade captive hostages in videos demanding ransom or display formidable arsenals of weaponry in dramatic TikTok clips.
Baloch stands out with the most substantial online presence, stirring frustration among police with his impressive follower count exceeding 200,000.
Rizwan Gondal, the Rahim Yar Khan district police chief, confirmed that his detectives have compiled an extensive dossier detailing his “heinous criminal activities.” “Despite multiple concerted efforts to apprehend him, he always manages to elude capture,” he added.
“He’s adept at maneuvering the media space. If he were to claim, ‘I will surrender to the authorities to prove my innocence,’ you can bet the media would be there in droves to cover the spectacle.”
In his controversial clips, Baloch insists on his innocence while positioning himself as a vigilante navigating a lawless environment, claiming his decision to resort to violence was born out of grief after family members fell victim in tribal skirmishes. “We were denied justice in the courts, which compelled me to take up arms and retaliate against my adversaries,” Baloch explained to AFP. “They took our people, so we responded in kind.”
Despite this, he insightfully critiques the cycle of governmental neglect that perpetuates banditry, further disenfranchising impoverished farming communities and relegating them to society’s fringes. “The villagers here are not regarded as human beings but as mere animals,” Baloch told AFP. “If the government provided us with schools, electricity, hospitals, and justice, who would consider resorting to violence?”
Within the comments section of his videos, viewers extoll him with monikers like “beloved brother bandit” and a “real hero.” One viewer even professed, “You have won my heart.” “His popularity stems from the fact that he poses a significant challenge to the police forces,” Dhillon commented, adding, “People appreciate that he voices grievances they dare not express against those in power.”
In response, police have suggested a controversial countermeasure: downgrading mobile phone towers to 2G within the Katcha lands, aiming to block social media applications. However, this plan has yet to be executed and may conversely isolate communities further.
Nevertheless, more straightforward solutions have achieved some level of success. An anti-honey trap police unit has been actively warning residents about the gangs with billboards and loudspeakers stationed at checkpoints, preventing 531 individuals from falling victim since last August, according to their records.
Baloch, however, derides the police’s efforts yet remains troubled by a particular issue undermining his online fame. Numerous fake social media accounts impersonating him have emerged, distributing replicas of his videos and garnering significantly more followers and views than his official channels.
This has left him feeling cheated. “I don’t understand their motives,” he lamented.
For law enforcement, his image as an internet idol sharply contrasts with the real-world consequences of his criminal acts. “While many may idealize Shahid Lund Baloch, they will soon discover the truth of who he really is when they fall victim to his abduction,” cautioned senior officer Wahla.
**Interview with Dr. Amina Qureshi, Sociologist and Rural Development Expert**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Qureshi. You’ve been observing the rise of figures like Shahid Lund Baloch in rural Pakistan. What do you think draws individuals to his message, despite his criminal activities?
**Dr. Qureshi**: Thank you for having me. Baloch represents a complex reality for many in these underserved communities. His narrative resonates because he articulates the frustrations of people who feel neglected by the government. There is a palpable sense of injustice, and for some, Baloch becomes a symbol of resistance against systemic failure.
**Editor**: Many see him as a charismatic figure on social media, yet he is responsible for severe crimes. How do you reconcile this duality in public perception?
**Dr. Qureshi**: It’s a manifestation of a deeper societal issue. While he is indeed a criminal, he positions himself as a champion of the oppressed, which complicates how the community views him. His ability to connect through social media amplifies his influence, allowing him to craft a persona that many find appealing against the backdrop of their everyday struggles.
**Editor**: Former lawmaker Javed Dhillon stated that those living in the area see Baloch differently than those who may romanticize the notion of his heroism. Why is this distinction important?
**Dr. Qureshi**: That distinction is crucial. Local communities bear the brunt of Baloch’s actions—they experience the violence firsthand. This creates a chasm between perception and reality. Alerting people to this gap is essential because it emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of issues like crime in rural areas, where people are often caught in a cycle of fear and desperation.
**Editor**: With Baloch’s appeal rooted in the socioeconomic challenges of rural regions, what measures do you believe the government should take to address the underlying issues?
**Dr. Qureshi**: The government has to invest in these communities—establish schools, healthcare facilities, and job opportunities. When people see tangible changes in their circumstances, the allure of figures like Baloch diminishes. Additionally, improving law enforcement’s effectiveness in these regions is critical, as current strategies have failed to address the root problems, allowing figures like him to thrive.
**Editor**: Lastly, how can the media responsibly report on individuals like Baloch without glorifying their actions but still informing the public about the real issues?
**Dr. Qureshi**: The media plays a powerful role in shaping narratives. It’s important to focus on the systemic issues at play and highlight the voices of those affected by violence rather than glorifying the figure of the outlaw. Responsible reporting involves a balanced approach that brings attention to the struggles of the communities while not amplifying the criminal’s notoriety.
**Editor**: Thank you, Dr. Qureshi. Your insights into this complex issue are invaluable as we continue to explore the social dynamics at play in rural Pakistan.
**Dr. Qureshi**: Thank you for having me. It’s an essential conversation to have.
