CM Bugti says major attack averted with arrest of 'would-be' female suicide bomber in Khuzdar

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti on Wednesday announced that security agencies had arrested a "would-be" female suicide bomber in Khuzdar, claiming that a major attack had been prevented through the use of "human intelligence".

Addressing a press conference in Quetta, the chief minister appeared alongside the alleged "would-be" suicide bomber, stating that terrorist organisations operating in Balochistan were "exploiting" Baloch women.

Arrested woman narrates her ordeal

The young woman, identified as Laiba, was presented before the media during the press conference. Narrating her account, Laiba said she had been "brain-washed" into becoming a suicide bomber by a Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander whom she had met last year.

According to her account, she was instructed to "train more women to become a 'fidayee'" and was on her way to meet a commander who would have briefed her on a potential suicide mission before she was apprehended in Khuzdar.

CM credits human intelligence for successful operation

CM Bugti maintained that the operation leading to Laiba's arrest was carried out with the assistance of "human intelligence". He expressed gratitude to the public for cooperating with security agencies in the effort.

The chief minister further stated that the arrest had averted major destruction, underscoring the gravity of the threat that had been neutralised through the timely intervention of law enforcement and intelligence personnel.

The development comes amid an ongoing security challenge in Balochistan, where militant groups have continued to target civilians and security forces. The use of female operatives by terrorist outfits represents a particularly concerning dimension of the threat landscape in the province, as highlighted by the chief minister during his remarks about the exploitation of Baloch women by such groups.

CM Bugti's press conference drew attention to the role of community cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts, with the chief minister specifically acknowledging the contribution of local people in aiding security agencies in their operations against militant networks in the province.