Justice, Accountability and the Search for Truth in the Mangi Dam Attack
By Sheikh Abdul Razaq
The Government of Balochistan’s decision to constitute an independent judicial inquiry into the terrorist attack on the Mangi Dam Pumping Station in District Ziarat marks an important step towards establishing the facts surrounding the tragic loss of precious lives of police personnel. The move reflects the principle that, alongside criminal investigation and counter-terrorism measures, there must also be an impartial effort to examine whether institutional shortcomings contributed to the vulnerability of those deployed to protect a critical facility.
The judicial commission, constituted under the Balochistan Tribunals of Inquiry Ordinance, 1969, is headed by Hon’ble Justice Muhammad Aamir Nawaz Rana. Its mandate goes beyond simply establishing what happened on the day of the attack. It has been tasked with examining the circumstances that led to the deployment of police personnel at the Mangi Dam Pumping Station and determining how responsibility for the security of the facility was assigned.
One of the most significant aspects of the inquiry is its focus on the preparedness and capacity of the personnel deployed at the site. The Commission has been asked to determine whether personnel, including erstwhile Levies personnel, possessed adequate training, weapons and resources to respond effectively to terrorist attacks. It will also examine whether sufficient ammunition, backup forces and logistical support were available and whether reinforcements, where required, were provided in a timely manner.
These questions are fundamental to any serious assessment of security arrangements. Protecting critical infrastructure in a province facing complex security challenges requires more than the physical deployment of personnel. It demands appropriate training, adequate equipment, effective communication, rapid reinforcement mechanisms and clearly defined chains of responsibility. If any deficiencies are identified, the inquiry can provide an institutional basis for correcting them rather than allowing weaknesses to remain unresolved.
The Commission has also been empowered to recommend legal action against those found responsible, including within the district administration and other relevant security apparatus. At the same time, the inquiry is equipped with broad investigative powers, including recording statements of eyewitnesses, inspecting the scene of the incident, conducting geo-fencing and obtaining Call Detail Records. These provisions indicate that the inquiry is intended to be evidence-based and comprehensive rather than limited to administrative observations.
Another important dimension is the authority granted to the Commission to seek forensic assistance for examining cyber and digital communications, financial pipelines, logistical supply chains and other aspects connected with terrorist networks. Such an approach is particularly relevant in modern counter-terrorism investigations, where attacks may involve planning, communication and logistical arrangements extending far beyond the immediate scene of the incident.
Perhaps the most sensitive and humane element of the inquiry is the provision that the families of the martyrs shall be given a full opportunity to be heard and to testify before the Commission. For bereaved families, justice is not merely about identifying responsibility; it is also about knowing the truth about the circumstances in which their loved ones lost their lives. Giving them a formal opportunity to present relevant information can help ensure that their concerns remain an integral part of the inquiry process.
The inquiry will also examine the security plan and deployment arrangements that existed before the attack, including whether law-enforcement agencies positioned nearby were able to provide adequate cover or assistance to the personnel who were martyred. This particular aspect could prove crucial in determining whether the tragedy resulted solely from the attackers’ actions or whether gaps in coordination, preparedness or response mechanisms also played a role.
Importantly, the Commission has invited members of the public, legal heirs and relatives of the deceased, law-enforcement personnel, district administration officials and others possessing relevant information or evidence to come forward. They have been directed to register their names and provide their particulars so that their submissions can be placed before the Commission. The public notice sets August 28, 2026, as the deadline for registration during office hours.
The wider publication of the notice across Quetta, Ziarat, Sibi, Loralai, Harnai and adjoining areas further underlines the importance attached to public participation and transparency. The directive for extensive dissemination through newspapers, television, radio and other available means is intended to ensure that people with relevant information are aware of the opportunity to assist the judicial process.
The real value of a judicial inquiry ultimately lies not only in identifying what went wrong, but in ensuring that lessons are translated into meaningful institutional reforms. The Commission’s mandate specifically includes recommending measures to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure, improve response mechanisms and enhance equipment so that similar incidents can be prevented in the future.
The Mangi Dam tragedy has therefore opened a difficult but necessary conversation about security preparedness, institutional accountability and the protection of those who stand on the front line against terrorism. An independent, transparent and evidence-based inquiry can help answer the difficult questions that remain and, more importantly, help build a stronger system in which the sacrifices of security personnel are honoured not only through words, but through concrete improvements in the mechanisms designed to protect them.