Some social media accounts have been circulating one or two photos along with the claim that a Baloch youth was beaten by security forces near the Pakistan-Iran border for refusing to pay a bribe.
This claim is false.
Claim:
Posts on social media are sharing images with the caption alleging that security personnel are torturing a labourer for not paying a bribe near the border region.
Fact:
The claim has no connection to bribery. In reality, the individuals seen in the images are fuel smugglers being apprehended by law enforcement. One of the photos shows smuggled fuel being recovered from a suspect. This has been confirmed by security sources as well as local residents familiar with the incident.
Smuggling in Balochistan is a major financial source for terrorist groups, and smuggling networks often engage in organised propaganda campaigns on social media to mislead the public and discredit the security forces.
Conclusion:
The viral claim on social media is not only baseless but also tantamount to facilitating terrorism and promoting hostility against the state and its security institutions.
The public, especially social media users, are strongly advised to stay cautious of such manipulative and malicious narratives and avoid believing or sharing unverified content.
