Woman suicide bomber planning to target Islamabad held: Bugti

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti has disclosed that Islamabad has been saved from a major disaster as intelligence agencies have arrested a would-be girl suicide-bomber, who wanted to wreak havoc in the federal capital.

She was assigned a task to carry out a suicide attack in Islamabad, the CM said while addressing a press conference in provincial capital on Monday. He added the plot was aimed at a target in the capital city and was intercepted through timely action by law enforcement agencies (LEAs).

“Timely action by the LEAs has thwarted the suicide bombing plot. The young woman was recruited and prepared for the mission by militant elements linked to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA),” he said.

Bugti said the would-be bomber girl was threatened that if she did not carry out the suicide attack, her father will be killed. “The girl is now being handed over to her father with dignity,” he added.

Bugti explained that terrorist groups often manipulate and coerce women into carrying out attacks, sometimes threatening family members to ensure compliance.

The chief minister maintained that the terrorists have no connection with Baloch traditions. “We want to educate girls, but terrorists are making them wear suicide jackets,” he added.

Bugti accused militant groups of exploiting and manipulating young women for acts of violence, saying such organisations were working against Baloch traditions and values. He said the government wanted girls to receive education and build successful futures, while extremist elements were instead pushing them towards militancy and suicide attacks.

“The girl sitting with us today was being prepared for a suicide mission,” Bugti said, adding authorities had ensured her safety and dignity after taking her into custody. He also stated that she would be reunited with her family respectfully.

Speaking during the news conference, the girl student said she was currently enrolled in second-year studies and claimed she had been pressured and threatened by a cousin to work for the BLA.

The girl, identified as Khairun-Nisa from Turbat, said “she was threatened, blackmailed and forced to work for the BLA.”

She alleged that she had been psychologically manipulated and convinced to carry out a suicide attack.

Khairun-Nisa admitted to sending mobile cards and preparing items for the group, without knowing their exact purpose, before discovering they were intended for terrorist attack.

Khairun-Nisa added that even while receiving treatment at Hub Chowki, she continued to receive instructions related to a suicide attack.

After her cousin was arrested, she said she broke her mobile phone out of fear.

Khairun-Nisa said police took her into custody and kept her in a safe place, adding she was treated with dignity and respect after her arrest. “Thank God I survived the suicide attack. I was being forced towards this,” she said.

Khairun-Nisa appealed to other girls not to support such organizations. “This path is wrong,” she said. She added that “her dream is to become a doctor or a teacher and that she only wants to continue her education.”

CM Bugti condemned the use of women in terrorism, stating that the perpetrators often operate under external influences and exploiting girls for violent purposes is disgraceful.

Balochistan MPA Farah Azeem said CTD had saved the country from a huge disaster. She said “Fitna-ul-Hindustan” had become active again and that Pakistan had defeated the enemy in the fight for justice.

Farah Azeem said scholarships are being introduced for students and that the Balochistan Talent Hunt Programme is also being launched.

She said Pakistan must protect its youth and work on its weaknesses.

Officials said the government is focused on saving young people from extremist recruitment.