Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Lango has claimed that security forces foiled an alleged plan by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) to use two girls as suicide bombers in an attack in Makran.
The minister made the claim during a press conference in Quetta on Saturday, where the two girls, identified as 16-year-old Zainab and 12-year-old Fatima, were presented.
According to Lango, the girls were allegedly targeted for recruitment, emotionally manipulated and later taken to an undisclosed location. He said both have now been rescued and an investigation is continuing.
Girls Allegedly Targeted Through Emotional Manipulation
Lango alleged that the militants used personal tragedies and anti-state narratives to influence the two girls.
He said Zainab had lost several relatives in incidents allegedly involving the BLA. According to the minister, she later married a man named Saif, who was allegedly approached by a local BLA commander and pressured to cooperate with the group.
Lango claimed that Saif refused to assist the militants and was subsequently killed.
The minister alleged that after Saif’s death, the commander contacted Zainab and blamed state institutions for her husband’s killing. He said this was used to encourage her to seek revenge.
Zainab told reporters that she was persuaded to join the group after being told that state institutions were responsible for her husband’s death.
She also said Fatima, her cousin, became involved after spending time with her and being exposed to the same messaging.
Alleged 40-Day Captivity
Zainab claimed that she and Fatima were eventually taken to an undisclosed location, where they remained for around 40 days.
She alleged that people at the location subjected them to physical and psychological abuse.
According to her account, both girls had initially been influenced by calls for revenge before becoming involved with the militant group.
Lango said the alleged recruitment of young girls represented a serious threat to families and communities in Balochistan.
He accused militant groups of exploiting vulnerable young people and using emotional grievances to promote violence.
Government Vows to Counter Militancy
The home minister said security forces remain focused on preventing terrorist attacks and dismantling militant networks in the province.
He also accused militant groups of attempting to exploit local grievances and spread what he described as an Indian-backed narrative.
Lango strongly condemned the alleged use of women and children in militant activities. He said such practices were damaging to families and communities and urged people to remain alert to attempts to manipulate young people.
The minister said the two girls had been rescued before they could allegedly be used in a planned attack in Makran.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the alleged recruitment network, the people involved and the circumstances surrounding the girls’ captivity.
The allegations presented at the press conference have not been independently verified, and further details are expected as the investigation progresses.
