ISLAMABAD: Balochistan Home Minister Mir Zia Ullah Langov on Saturday said the banned outfit Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) used women and girls in its campaign of terrorism, including preparing two young cousins for suicide bombings.
Speaking at a press conference, Langov said Pakistan’s security forces prevent 10 terrorist attacks for every attack that takes place in Balochistan.
Langov spoke about 16-year-old Zainab and her 12-year-old cousin, Fatima, who he said were trapped by BLA propaganda and prepared for suicide attacks.
He said Zainab, a resident of southern Balochistan, had lost almost 10 relatives to the BLA. According to Langov, she married Saif eight months ago. A local BLA commander later contacted Saif and asked him to work for the group.
Langov said Saif refused and was subsequently killed by the BLA. His body and phone were delivered to his home.
The commander then contacted Zainab through Saif’s phone. He told her that her husband had been killed by Pakistan’s security forces and tried to recruit her.
Zainab's account
Zainab said the commander contacted her husband after their marriage and asked him to carry out work for the BLA. She said he was killed two months later after refusing.
“On my husband’s current phone number, one terrorist commander called,” Zainab said. “He told me that the [security forces] killed your husband. You should work for us.”
The teenager said she was being mentally prepared for a suicide bombing. She said she and Fatima were taken to an undisclosed location and kept in a room for 40 days.
The girls eventually told their captors that they did not want to continue and wanted to return home, she said. They were then assaulted and beaten.
Zainab said Pakistani security forces later rescued them and brought them to safety.
“We are very thankful to them for giving us a new life,” she said.
Fatima's account
The 12-year-old Fatima said her father, Nisar, was killed by terrorists. She said she was then told that the security forces had killed him.
According to young girl, BLA members asked her to join them and carry out a suicide bombing against Pakistani security forces.
She said she and Zainab were taken to an undisclosed location and locked in a room for 40 days. After they refused to continue, they were harassed and beaten.
“We said if you do not take us back, we will kill ourselves,” Fatima said.
She said Pakistani security forces subsequently rescued them and thanked them for helping them begin new lives.
Baloch customs
The home minister said that terrorists were using Baloch women, girls and children while acting on the instructions of their enemies. He said such actions were against Baloch customs and traditions.
Langov said Baloch women are regarded as an honor of the household and that Baloch families traditionally give their lives to protect women and children. He said the BLA’s use of women and girls was destroying these customs and “creating disrespect for women” in Baloch and Pakistani society.
He questioned why Baloch women and girls were being taken with na-mehram (men who are not close relatives under Islamic rules) to promote “a false narrative.” The home minister said no Baloch would tolerate his mother, sister or daughter going with a na-mehram man for such activities.
Langov said the terrorists had adopted an “Afghan Taliban” or “Indian way of life.” He said such practices had no place in Baloch customs or history. He said Baloch culture had no tradition of women accompanying na-mehram men to the mountains to promote a false narrative.