Security forces have foiled an alleged plot by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) to use two minor girls in a suicide attack in southern Balochistan, according to Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau.
The minister said during a press conference that 16-year-old Zainab and 12-year-old Fatima, who had allegedly been prepared for suicide attacks, were taken into custody following an intelligence-based operation.
According to the account presented at the press conference, the girls were allegedly radicalised after members of their families were killed. Zainab said a local BLA commander contacted her after the killing of her husband and allegedly encouraged her to seek revenge against state institutions.
Zainab further claimed that her cousin Fatima was brought into contact with the commander because she was constantly with her, while Fatima’s father had also allegedly been killed by the BLA.
The two girls said they were subsequently taken to an undisclosed location, where they remained for around 40 days. They alleged that they were subjected to physical abuse and that the commander also made inappropriate advances toward them.
According to the home minister, security forces received intelligence while the girls were being transferred from one undisclosed location to another and carried out an operation, resulting in their recovery.
The girls reportedly thanked the security forces for saving their lives and appealed to the government and the nation for forgiveness.
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