Two minor girls being prepared for suicide attacks rescued in Balochistan, home minister claims

Two minor girls being prepared for suicide attacks rescued in Balochistan, home minister claims.

Key points

• Saleem Shahid Published August 29, 2026 Updated August 29, 2026 08: 05pm.
• The minister asserted Zainab's husband, Saif, was killed after allegedly refusing to cooperate with the militant organisation.
• According to the minister, Fatima remained in contact with the alleged commander since she was Zainab's cousin and was constantly with her.
• According to Langau, BLA members had targeted the families of the two girls and subsequently sought to exploit their grief and anger to recruit them.
• Fatima alleged her father, Nisar, had been killed by terrorists and that she was subsequently informed that state institutions were responsible for his death.

Saleem Shahid Published August 29, 2026 Updated August 29, 2026 08: 05pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

QUETTA: Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langau asserted on Saturday that security forces had foiled a plan by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) to apply two minor girls in suicide attacks in southern Balochistan.

Addressing a press conference in Quetta, the minister remarked the girls – 16-year-old Zainab and her 12-year-old cousin Fatima – were allegedly being indoctrinated and prepared for suicide attacks after members of their families were killed.

He remarked security agencies, acting on "sensitive intelligence", conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in southern Balochistan and safely recovered the girls while they were allegedly being moved from one location to another.

Langau remarked the incident demonstrated that security institutions were not only responding to terrorist attacks but additionally preventing a number of planned attacks through intelligence-based operations (IBOs).

For context, the minister asserted Zainab's husband, Saif, was killed after allegedly refusing to cooperate with the militant organisation.

He remarked a local commander subsequently contacted Zainab and allegedly tried to persuade her to carry out a suicide attack in retaliation.

During the press conference, the two girls. This person were seated beside the minister, additionally spoke concerning their alleged recruitment and indoctrination.

Fatima alleged her father, Nisar, had been killed by terrorists and that she was subsequently informed that state institutions were responsible for his death. She alleged that she was then encouraged to carry out a suicide attack.

In practice, the girls asserted they initially wanted to return home but were allegedly subjected to pressure and mistreatment when they refused to cooperate. They asserted that the local commander continued contacting them and attempting to persuade them to join the militant organisation.

According to the minister, Fatima remained in contact with the alleged commander since she was Zainab's cousin and was constantly with her. He further asserted that Fatima's father had additionally been killed in a militant attack and that she was subsequently emotionally manipulated into joining the group.

Zainab and Fatima thanked the security forces for rescuing them and saving their lives. They additionally appealed to the administration and the individuals of Pakistan to forgive them.

In January 2025, a former member of the BLA had asserted that the banned militant group brainwashed average citizens into thinking a certain way concerning Balochistan and resorting to terrorist activities.

Taken together, the developments around two minor girls being prepared for suicide attacks rescued in Balochistan, home point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.