CM Bugti says that a major terror plan was foiled after the arrest of female suicide bomber

Balochistan Chief Minister Safaraz Bugti said on Wednesday that security forces had successfully arrested a female suicide bomber in Khuzdar, preventing a potentially devastating attack and saving precious lives.

In a press conference held in Quetta, Bugti praised the timely intervention of the security agencies and described the operation as a significant success foiling a “dangerous terrorist plot”. “This is a major victory in our fight against terrorism,” he added.

Bugti said the arrested woman made critical revelations during the interrogation. “She confessed that she had been recruited by a terrorist commander, Qazi Ibrahim, who had trained her for a suicide bomb, later connected to a network through a person named Diljan,” he added.

The chief minister highlighted what he said was an “alarming trend” where certain elements were misguiding Baloch youth, especially women, and pushing them towards violence and terrorism.

“The Baloch people are a peaceful nation, but some vested interests are steering them towards a senseless war,” Bugti said.

He added that some of these elements were allegedly working for foreign powers, particularly India, while certain terrorist activities were linked to Afghanistan, where training camps are believed to be operating.

Read more: Balochistan CTD arrests female bomber

“Pakistan will not tolerate any form of terrorism on its soil and we will continue our tough action against those who are trying to lure our youth, especially women, into this dangerous path,” CM Bugti said.

He said the arrested female bomber, who confessed to having been mentally prepared for the attack over the past three months, would be held in a special facility for further investigation.

“The authorities will also focus on her rehabilitation and de-radicalisation as part of ongoing efforts to counter extremism,” he added.

The arrested suspect said she had been radicalized and prepared for a suicide mission by terrorists. She revealed that she was not only tasked with carrying out an attack, but was also tasked with recruiting other young women for similar missions. She urged women to avoid becoming part of such activities.

Initial investigations suggest that the suspect had links with members of banned militant organizations and individuals involved in extremist networks. Officials said she was connected with facilitators for additional training and planning prior to her arrest.

Authorities believe the case has exposed a wider network involved in recruitment, indoctrination and propaganda.

CM Bugti also highlighted improvements in intelligence sharing, which he said had led to several successful operations across Balochistan. He reaffirmed that protection of life and property remained the government’s top priority.

The provincial government announced that cases involving women would be handled by female police officers to ensure their rights and dignity were protected. Authorities also plan to expand education, employment opportunities and community programs to prevent radicalization among youth.

CM Bugti stressed the need to counter online propaganda and misuse of the internet, adding that awareness campaigns would be launched to stop the spread of extremist narratives. He concluded by stating that the security forces remained fully active and committed to maintaining peace and further measures would be taken to eliminate terrorism and ensure a secure environment throughout Balochistan.

Present at the press conference were Balochistan Interior Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau, the provincial police chief and other senior officials.

In a statement on X, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar praised the security forces, saying: “Case has once again exposed the alliance between the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), Baloch Yakjehti Commitee (BYC) and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).”

Tarar added that these groups were brainwashing innocent youth and using them for their extremist agendas.

The BLA has increasingly involved women in its terrorist activities, including using them as suicide bombers against civilians and security forces. Reports suggest that the militant group targets vulnerable women and indoctrinates them for attacks aimed at disrupting peace and stability in Pakistan.

In recent years, security forces have arrested several female bombers who were blackmailed or forced to become terrorists. Many of these women were manipulated or exploited by the BLA and forced to carry out suicide attacks.

Earlier in February, the Counter Terrorism Department of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa foiled a major terror plot in Dera Ismail Khan and arrested a female suicide bomber in the act from Sheikh Yousaf Khema Basti in a timely operation based on confirmed intelligence.

In 2024, a Baloch woman, Adila Baloch, who was arrested in Turbat for planning a suicide attack, revealed that terrorists were blackmailing and manipulating Baloch women to commit such acts.