Pakistan: Two Teenage Girls Allegedly Recruited for Suicide Attacks Arrested in Balochistan

QUETTA (Terror Monitor) — Two teenage girls allegedly being prepared for suicide attacks were detained during an intelligence-based operation by security forces in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, the provincial home minister said.

Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau told a press conference in Quetta that the detention of the two girls had foiled an alleged plan by the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) to use them in suicide attacks.

The two girls, who were present alongside the minister during the press conference, were identified as 16 and 12 years old.

The press conference was held at the Civil Secretariat in Quetta and was attended by a limited number of media representatives.

Langau said the girls had made disclosures during questioning about the alleged activities and plans of the banned BLA.

He said security agencies frequently face questions about their role whenever a terrorist attack occurs, but argued that security forces also prevent many attacks before they take place.

According to the home minister, the BLA had allegedly killed between eight and 10 members of the family of the 16-year-old girl, including her husband.

Langau claimed that a local BLA commander had killed the girl’s husband after he refused to work for the organization.

The minister said security forces received intelligence while the two girls were allegedly being moved from one location to another and subsequently detained them.

Authorities have not provided independent evidence regarding the allegations against the BLA or details of any charges filed against the two girls. Further details about the investigation were not immediately available.