Staff Reporter:
QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti on Monday disclosed that security and intelligence agencies had thwarted an alleged suicide attack plot in Islamabad by recovering a young girl who, according to officials, had been manipulated and pressured by militant elements.
Speaking during a press conference in Quetta, the chief minister said the girl was rescued before the alleged attack could be carried out. He announced that she would not be prosecuted and would instead be returned to her family under protective supervision.
Bugti termed the incident extremely alarming and condemned what he described as the exploitation of Baloch women and girls by militant groups. He said such actions were entirely against Baloch culture, traditions, and values.
“Our traditions do not allow the misuse of daughters and sisters for violence,” he said, adding that those involved in such activities could not claim to represent the Baloch people or the spirit of “Balochiyat.”
According to the chief minister, the girl had earlier appeared on social media as a missing person. However, investigations by intelligence agencies later revealed that she had allegedly been taken to a militant training facility.
Bugti claimed that militant networks were using coercion, emotional pressure, and threats against families to recruit young women. He alleged that in this case, the girl had been threatened with harm to her father if she refused to follow instructions.
The chief minister further alleged that the planned attack was aimed at damaging Pakistan’s international image at a time when the country’s security environment was improving. He praised intelligence agencies for preventing what he called a major tragedy.
Referring to the overall security situation, Bugti said incidents of militant violence in Balochistan had declined in recent weeks. Security monitoring reports have also indicated a noticeable reduction in militant attacks and casualties across the province during the past month.
