Both Zainab, Fatima express gratitude to the security forces for saving their lives
Balochistan Home Minister Mir Zia Ullah Langov holds a press conference in Quetta. Photo: PTV
Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau said on Saturday that security forces apprehended two young girls who were being prepared as potential suicide bombers by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) Fitna al-Hindustan in an intelligence-based operation in Southern Balochistan.
While speaking to the media at a press conference in Quetta, Langau said the operation resulted in the safe custody of 16-year-old Zainab and her 12-year-old cousin, Fatima. He appeared alongside the two girls during the news conference.
Langau said the primary purpose of the briefing was to expose the “illegal and destructive tactics” employed by the BLA. He said law enforcement agencies were continuing efforts against such activities, adding that while the public often questioned security measures when an attack occurred, authorities quietly prevented dozens of similar plots.
The federal government last year officially designated all terrorist groups operating in Balochistan as ‘Fitna al-Hindustan‘, accusing India of sponsoring a proxy war through these outfits.
According to the details shared during the press conference, during interrogation, Zainab said her husband, Saif, was targeted and killed by a local BLA commander after refusing to work for the group. She said the same terrorist network was responsible for the deaths of eight to 10 other members of her family.
Following Saif’s killing, the commander repeatedly contacted Zainab and falsely blamed state institutions for her husband’s death, seeking to emotionally manipulate her into seeking revenge.
Fatima, whose father was also killed in a BLA attack, was drawn into the network due to her close proximity to Zainab.
The two girls travelled to a covert location where they were held for 40 days. During their captivity, they were subjected to physical violence by terrorists, while the local commander made inappropriate advances towards Zainab.
Whenever the girls requested to meet the commander directly, they were told he was travelling in a neighbouring country and that a meeting would take place upon his return.
Read: Security forces kill 10 terrorists, arrest two female suicide bombers in Balochistan: ISPR
The plot came to an end when security forces acted on intelligence while the girls were being transferred between hidden locations
Given their age and the circumstances of their entrapment, the state chose not to pursue strict legal action. Instead, authorities facilitated their reunion with their families and offered them an opportunity to return to normal life and raise awareness in their communities about the reality of these terrorist networks.
Officials said the BLA operated as a proxy for foreign interests, particularly supported through New Delhi, while its leadership hid in safe havens across Kabul, Kandahar and Europe and exploited vulnerable local families.
They said the recruitment of young children as suicide bombers directly violated Islamic principles and traditional Baloch cultural values, which historically prioritised the protection of women and minors.
Both Zainab and Fatima expressed gratitude to the security forces for saving their lives and appealed for a general pardon from the government and the nation.
