Terrorist Plot to Turn Minor Baloch Girls into Suicide Bombers Foiled: Home Minister Zia Langau

QUETTA: Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau has claimed that a terrorist plot to recruit and use minor Baloch girls as suicide bombers has been foiled after intelligence agencies safely recovered two girls who had allegedly been held captive by militants in the Makran region.

Addressing a press conference in Quetta, the provincial home minister said 16-year-old Zainab and her 12-year-old cousin Fatima were rescued after allegedly remaining in captivity for 40 days.

Zia Langau paid tribute to the sacrifices of security forces, saying that even if terrorists manage to carry out an attack, security institutions thwart numerous other terrorism plots on a daily basis.

He criticized what he described as so-called Baloch leaders based in Europe and other countries, questioning how anyone could justify taking Baloch girls to remote mountainous areas and exposing them to militants.

The minister alleged that banned militant organizations were exploiting women and girls for terrorist activities and accused such groups of violating Baloch traditions and values.

During the press conference, 16-year-old Zainab shared details of her alleged ordeal. She said she had married a man named Saif a few months earlier and that he was a peaceful citizen.

According to Zainab, a local Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) commander allegedly forced her husband to work with the group. After he refused, she claimed that Saif was killed around two months later.

She further alleged that militants took possession of her deceased husband’s mobile phone and contacted her, attempting to convince her that state institutions were responsible for his death.

Zainab said she and her 12-year-old cousin Fatima were abducted and kept in an unknown dark room for 40 days. She alleged that the girls were subjected to indoctrination and pressured to become suicide bombers, while refusal resulted in severe physical abuse.

Fatima also confirmed the allegations, saying she too had been told that her father was killed by security forces.

The girls thanked the state and security agencies following their rescue.

Zia Langau further alleged that hostile elements were using WhatsApp groups and social media platforms to indoctrinate children between the ages of 16 and 17 and incite them against the state.

He said the girls’ parents had contacted the government and were deeply ashamed and regretful over the situation.

The home minister urged parents to closely monitor their children’s activities to prevent them from becoming involved in anti-state activities.

He reiterated that the provincial government was focusing on girls’ education, safe transportation and scholarships to help ensure that women and girls could become secure and dignified members of society.