Balochistan Says Militant Recruitment Attempt Involving Minors Foiled

Balochistan authorities said on Saturday that two underage girls had been recovered in the Makran region after an alleged attempt by the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army to draw them into militant activities, including a possible suicide attack. Provincial Interior Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau disclosed the case at a press conference in Quetta, describing the recovery as part of efforts to prevent militant groups from exploiting vulnerable children.

According to Langau, the girls are cousins aged 16 and 12. He alleged that members of the banned organisation approached them through emotional and ideological messaging after tragedies affecting their families. The minister said the case illustrated what authorities regard as an attempt to use personal loss and anger as tools for recruitment into militant networks operating in Balochistan.

Langau said the older girl had lost several relatives in incidents he attributed to the BLA and had married a civilian at the age of 16. The minister alleged that a local commander later contacted her husband and tried to persuade him to work for the organisation. After the husband refused, Langau claimed, he was killed and his belongings were returned to his family.

The minister further alleged that the same commander subsequently contacted the teenager and told her that state institutions were responsible for her husband's death. Speaking at the press conference, the girl said she had been encouraged to seek revenge. She said her younger cousin, who was frequently with her, also came into contact with the individual and was influenced by similar messaging after suffering a family bereavement.

According to the account presented by authorities, the two girls eventually went with people linked to the banned organisation and remained at an undisclosed location for around 40 days. The older girl alleged that they were subjected to physical abuse while there. Officials did not publicly identify the location where they had been kept or provide operational details about how and when the recovery was carried out.

Langau said the provincial government viewed the case as evidence that militant organisations were seeking to involve women and children in their activities. He condemned the alleged recruitment of minors and said the state would continue operations against militant groups while also challenging narratives that authorities believe are being used to influence young people in Balochistan.

The case comes amid heightened concern over the recruitment of young people for militant operations in the province. In a separate case earlier this year, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said security agencies had prevented an alleged plan involving a minor girl who authorities said was being prepared for an attack in Islamabad. That case also prompted official warnings about the targeting of vulnerable young people by militant organisations.

Authorities are expected to continue investigating how the two cousins came into contact with alleged militants, who was responsible for their movement and confinement, and whether other people were involved. Further official information will also be needed to independently establish the full circumstances surrounding the allegations and the recovery operation. The provincial government has said its counterterrorism efforts will continue alongside measures intended to prevent recruitment and radicalisation of minors.