The Mangi Dam Inquiry: A Test of Accountability and Institutional Resolve

The decision of the Government of Balochistan to establish an independent judicial commission to inquire into the terrorist attack on the Mangi Dam Pumping Station in District Ziarat is a significant and welcome step. At a time when terrorism continues to pose a serious challenge to the province, the state must demonstrate not only its determination to confront terrorists but also its commitment to protecting those entrusted with the responsibility of defending public installations and human lives.

The tragic loss of police personnel at Mangi Dam demands more than condemnation. It demands answers. Why were the personnel deployed there? Was the security arrangement appropriate for the nature of the threat? Were the personnel adequately trained and equipped? Was sufficient ammunition available? Were reinforcements and logistical support provided when required? And, perhaps most importantly, were there weaknesses in the security plan or response mechanism that could have contributed to the tragedy?

These are difficult questions, but they are precisely the questions that a credible judicial inquiry must address.

The Commission, headed by Justice Muhammad Aamir Nawaz Rana, has been constituted under the Balochistan Tribunals of Inquiry Ordinance, 1969. Its mandate is broad and comprehensive. It is required to examine the circumstances surrounding the deployment of security personnel, their training and weaponry, the availability of ammunition and backup forces, and the adequacy and timeliness of logistical support.

This is important because accountability should never be confused with blame. The purpose of an inquiry should not be to find convenient scapegoats. Its purpose should be to establish facts, identify institutional weaknesses and determine responsibility where negligence or failure is established by evidence.

The Commission has also been empowered to examine eyewitness accounts, inspect the site, conduct geo-fencing and obtain Call Detail Records. It may seek forensic assistance to examine digital communications, financial channels, logistical supply chains and other relevant aspects associated with terrorist activity. Such powers provide the inquiry with the means to move beyond assumptions and construct a factual picture of what happened before, during and after the attack.

Perhaps the most important principle embedded in the inquiry is that the families of the martyrs will have a full opportunity to be heard. This provision carries both legal and moral significance. Families who have lost their loved ones in the line of duty deserve to know the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Their testimony may also contain information that can assist the Commission in reconstructing the events and identifying gaps in security arrangements.

The inquiry’s examination of nearby law-enforcement deployments is equally significant. It will consider whether agencies stationed in the vicinity were able to provide adequate cover or assistance to the personnel who were ultimately martyred. This question goes directly to the effectiveness of coordination and emergency response mechanisms.

There is another reason why this inquiry deserves public attention. Critical infrastructure is not merely a collection of buildings, machinery or installations. Such facilities are essential to the functioning of communities and the continuity of public services. Their protection requires a security model based on threat assessment, appropriate manpower, modern equipment, effective communication and rapid reinforcement.

If deficiencies are identified at Mangi Dam, the lessons must not remain confined to a report. They should be transformed into practical reforms applicable to other vulnerable installations across Balochistan.

The Commission’s authority to recommend measures for strengthening critical infrastructure protection, response mechanisms and equipment is therefore particularly important. The ultimate measure of success will be whether these recommendations result in stronger systems and better protection for personnel serving in difficult and dangerous environments.

Public participation can also strengthen the credibility of the process. The Commission has invited members of the public, relatives of martyrs, law-enforcement personnel, district administration officials and others possessing relevant information or evidence to come forward. The notice requires concerned individuals to register with the Commission by August 28, 2026.

The decision to give the inquiry wide publicity through newspapers, television, radio and other available means is equally encouraging. Transparency is essential for public confidence, particularly in cases involving loss of life and questions concerning institutional preparedness.

Balochistan has paid a heavy price in the fight against terrorism. Its police, Levies and other security personnel continue to perform their duties in challenging circumstances. Every martyr represents not merely a statistic but a family, a sacrifice and a solemn responsibility for the state.

The Mangi Dam inquiry should therefore be viewed as an opportunity rather than merely a post-incident exercise. It is an opportunity to establish the truth, strengthen accountability, hear the voices of bereaved families and identify weaknesses before they result in another tragedy.

Justice requires truth. Accountability requires evidence. And security requires learning from every failure.

If the Mangi Dam inquiry is conducted with complete independence, transparency and professional integrity, its findings can serve a purpose far beyond this single incident. They can help build a more resilient security architecture for Balochistan—one in which those assigned to protect critical installations are adequately trained, properly equipped, effectively supported and never left exposed because of avoidable institutional shortcomings.

That would be the most meaningful tribute to the martyrs of Mangi Dam: not merely remembering how they died, but ensuring that the lessons of their sacrifice help save lives in the future.