Security forces foil BLA plan to use girls in suicide attacks, says Balochistan home minister Langau

Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau said on Saturday that security forces had foiled a suspected plan by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) to use two underage girls in suicide attacks and rescued them from the militant group’s custody.

Addressing a press conference in Quetta, Langau said the briefing was aimed at exposing what he described as the “nefarious designs” of Fitna al-Hindustan, a term used for the militant group.

“The security institutions are always active in preventing terrorism,” Langau said, adding that security forces deserved credit for rescuing the girls and thwarting the alleged plot.

He said the BLA was attempting to exploit women and underage girls for militant activities, including suicide attacks. According to the minister, militants allegedly lure young girls, indoctrinate them and provide training for terrorist activities.

“The BLA is trying to use underage girls to carry out suicide attacks,” Langau said, adding that the group was also attempting to use women for destructive activities.

Langau said the alleged recruitment of women and children was particularly concerning in Balochistan, where, he said, women enjoyed “respect, protection and dignity”. He also accused the BLA of undermining local Baloch traditions.

The minister also presented details of a separate case involving a woman, Zainab, whose husband, Saif, was allegedly killed after refusing to work for the militant organisation.

According to Langau, Saif was killed after declining to work with the group. He said a local commander subsequently contacted Zainab and tried to persuade her husband to join the organisation.

Langau further alleged that between eight and 10 members of Zainab’s family, including her husband, were killed by the group.

Zainab, who also spoke at the press conference, alleged that the commander blamed security institutions for her husband’s death and attempted to turn her against them.

“I was incited to take revenge against the security institutions,” she said.

Zainab alleged that she was taken to an undisclosed location and subjected to violence. She said she was pressured to act against security institutions and that the people holding her attempted to influence her through indoctrination.

She said her cousin Fatima came into contact with the commander because the two were constantly together. Zainab also alleged that Fatima’s father had previously been killed in a terrorist attack by the BLA.

“We were indoctrinated and told to carry out suicide attacks,” Zainab said.

Langau said security forces would continue operations against militants and take measures to prevent terrorist groups from exploiting civilians, particularly women and children.

He also noted that when terrorist incidents occur, security forces are often questioned over what they were doing to prevent them, arguing that the latest operation demonstrated their continued efforts against militancy.