BLA attempt to manipulate minor girls for suicide attacks foiled in Balochistan

The minister, while addressing a press conference, said the two girls — identified as 16-year-old Zainab and her 12-year-old cousin Fatima — were allegedly manipulated by members of the banned organization and drawn into its activities through emotional and ideological messaging. Langau alleged that militant groups were increasingly attempting to use women and children for their objectives and propaganda.

He said such practices were contrary to local social traditions and the respect traditionally accorded to women and girls in Baloch society. The minister said Zainab was from southern Balochistan and had lost between eight and 10 relatives in alleged attacks by the BLA at different times.

He said she had married a civilian, identified as Saif, at the age of 16., a local BLA commander allegedly contacted Saif after obtaining his mobile phone number and attempted to persuade him to work for the organization. When the effort allegedly failed, Saif was killed, the minister claimed.

Langau said Saif’s body, mobile phone and other belongings were subsequently brought to his home. He alleged that the same commander later contacted Zainab and attempted to convince her that her husband had been killed by state institutions.

The minister described the alleged narrative as an attempt to exploit grief and anger to recruit young people into militant activities. Zainab, who spoke during the press conference, said the BLA commander blamed state institutions for her husband’s death and encouraged her to seek revenge.

She said Fatima, her younger cousin, was frequently with her and came into contact with the local commander through her. Zainab further said that Fatima’s father had also been killed in what she described as a BLA-related act of terrorism., Fatima was similarly influenced emotionally and persuaded to join the group.

The two girls, Zainab said, eventually went to the BLA after being influenced by calls for revenge against state institutions. She said they were kept at an undisclosed location for around 40 days, where she alleged that people at the location also subjected them to physical abuse.

Langau said the recovery of the girls demonstrated how militant organizations could exploit personal tragedies and the vulnerability of minors for their own purposes. He condemned the alleged use of women and children in terrorist activities and said the state would continue operations against militant groups.

The minister also questioned whether overseas Baloch communities would accept their daughters and sisters being taken to remote mountainous areas to live alongside armed groups. He alleged that militant organizations were attempting to promote a narrative aimed at creating unrest in Balochistan and accused them of using women and children in terrorist activities.

Authorities, he said, would continue efforts against terrorism while also challenging narratives allegedly being used to mislead young people and recruit them into militant organizations.