Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau announced on Saturday that security forces successfully intercepted a suspected scheme by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) to deploy two underage girls in suicide attacks. The girls were rescued from the militants’ custody before the plan could be executed.
Speaking at a press conference in Quetta, Langau aimed to expose the so-called “nefarious designs” of the militant group, which he referred to as Fitna al-Hindustan. He emphasized the proactive role of security agencies in countering terrorism and credited them for preventing this plot and saving the girls.
Langau highlighted the BLA’s disturbing tactic of exploiting women and underage girls for violent militant activities, including suicide bombings. He explained that militants recruit young girls by indoctrinating and training them for terrorist operations.
In a significant development, the minister stressed that the BLA’s use of women and children is particularly alarming given the cultural respect, protection, and dignity traditionally accorded to women in Balochistan. He accused the group of undermining these local Baloch customs and values.
The minister also detailed a separate case involving a woman named Zainab, whose husband, Saif, was allegedly killed after refusing to collaborate with the militant organization. Langau said that after Saif’s death, a local BLA commander attempted to recruit Zainab by contacting her directly.
Langau further claimed that between eight and ten members of Zainab’s family, including her husband, were killed by the militant group. Zainab herself spoke at the conference, accusing the commander of blaming security forces for her husband’s death and trying to turn her against them.
“I was incited to seek revenge against the security institutions,” Zainab stated, adding that she had been taken to a secret location where she endured violence and coercion aimed at pressuring her to act against the security forces. She described attempts to indoctrinate her during captivity.
Zainab also mentioned that her cousin Fatima, who was frequently with her, came into contact with the same commander. Fatima’s father had previously been killed in a BLA terrorist attack. Both women were reportedly indoctrinated and instructed to carry out suicide attacks.
Langau assured that security forces would persist with operations targeting militants and implement measures to prevent terrorist groups from exploiting civilians, especially women and children. He noted that security agencies often face scrutiny after terrorist incidents, questioning their preventive efforts, but emphasized that this recent operation demonstrates their unwavering commitment to combating militancy.
