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Killing of Hayat Baloch

Hayat Baloch, a university student from Balochistan, was killed on 13 August 2020 by a Frontier Corps serviceman in Absor, Turbat, after a bomb blast targeted an FC vehicle nearby. The serviceman was arrested and later sentenced to death.

SOLVED2020

Absor, Turbat, Balochistan, Pakistan

3 SOURCESUPDATED JUL 2026
Illustrative

Hayat Baloch was a BS Physiology student at the University of Karachi, originally from Balochistan. On 13 August 2020, he was killed in Absor, Turbat, by a serviceman of the Frontier Corps (FC), a paramilitary force operating in Pakistan, in the aftermath of a bomb blast in the area.

According to the account documented on Wikipedia, an FC vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device at Balochi Bazaar on Absar Road on 13 August 2020, injuring three FC servicemen. In response, security personnel launched a search operation in the surrounding area. During this operation, an FC serviceman identified as Shadiullah apprehended Hayat Baloch, who had been working in a garden near the site of the explosion. Shadiullah tied Hayat's hands behind his back and killed him, apparently suspecting him of involvement in the attack on the FC vehicle. Other FC servicemen present at the scene subsequently overpowered Shadiullah and disarmed him.

The killing prompted public reaction from Pakistani officials. Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari issued a statement in the National Assembly of Pakistan condemning the incident. Separately, the Inspector General of FC South visited the home of Hayat's family to express grief over his death.

In terms of legal response, Shadiullah was arrested on 20 August 2020 in connection with the killing. He later confessed to the crime. On 20–21 January 2021, a local court in Turbat District sentenced him to death. Hayat's family said they were satisfied with the verdict; his uncle, Hakeem Baloch, stated that the court had provided them with justice.

Key facts

Victims
Hayat Baloch
Date
2020
Location
Absor, Turbat, Balochistan, Pakistan
Case status
solved

Case timeline

  1. 2020-08-13

    An FC vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device at Balochi Bazaar, Absar Road, Turbat, injuring three FC servicemen; during the subsequent search operation, FC serviceman Shadiullah tied Hayat Baloch's hands and killed him.

  2. 2020-08-20

    Shadiullah, the FC serviceman responsible for the killing, was arrested.

  3. 2021-01-20

    A local court in Turbat District awarded Shadiullah the death penalty after his confession, per the Wikipedia lead.

  4. 2021-01-21

    The Wikipedia 'Response' section states the death penalty verdict was issued on this date, differing slightly from the date given in the lead.

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People

  • Shadiullah

    CONVICTED

    Frontier Corps serviceman arrested on 20 August 2020; confessed to killing Hayat Baloch and was sentenced to death by a local court in Turbat District.

  • Hayat Baloch

    VICTIM

    BS Physiology student at University of Karachi, from Balochistan; killed on 13 August 2020 in Absor, Turbat.

Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.

Places

Absor, Turbat, Balochistan, Pakistan

26.0034, 63.0526

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Common questions

What happened to the victim?
Hayat Baloch, a university student from Balochistan, was killed on 13 August 2020 by a Frontier Corps serviceman in Absor, Turbat, after a bomb blast targeted an FC vehicle nearby. The serviceman was arrested and later sentenced to death.
Where did the killing happen?
Absor, Turbat, Balochistan, Pakistan.
Who was convicted?
Shadiullah (Frontier Corps serviceman arrested on 20 August 2020; confessed to killing Hayat Baloch and was sentenced to death by a local court in Turbat District.).
What is the current status of the case?
Status: solved.
More cases in Pakistan

Sources

  1. ENCYCLOPEDICKilling of Hayat BalochWikipedia · 2026-07-07
  2. PRESSContemporaneous coverage — BBC NewsBBC News · 2026-07-07
  3. PRESSContemporaneous coverage — dawn.comdawn.com · 2026-07-07

Record history

First published
JUL 07, 2026

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