Law enforcement agencies have foiled a major terrorist conspiracy in Karachi after rescuing a minor Baloch girl who was being groomed by banned militant outfits to carry out a suicide attack, senior officials revealed on Monday.
The details were shared during a press conference addressed by Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, alongside senior police officials including Sindh Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Additional Inspector General Muhammad Azad Khan.
The home minister said Karachi was saved from a major catastrophe due to timely and effective intelligence-based action, adding that extremist networks are increasingly exploiting women and children for terrorist activities.
Additional IG Azad Khan disclosed that the girl was safely taken into custody during a highly sensitive intelligence operation conducted on the night of December 25. The operation successfully foiled a suicide bombing plot orchestrated by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF).
Social Media Used as a Weapon
According to CTD officials, the girl was targeted and radicalised through social media platforms, particularly Instagram and WhatsApp. Terrorist handlers exploited her secret mobile phone usage, gradually exposing her to extremist, anti-state and foreign-backed propaganda.
The handler initially contacted the girl under the guise of emotional support and sympathy, later portraying suicide attacks as acts of bravery and sacrifice. Authorities said the girl was deceptively brought to Karachi while her family was misled and left behind in Balochistan.
Heightened police checking at Karachi’s entry points disrupted the terrorists’ plan, preventing the handler from moving the girl to the intended target location and exposing the conspiracy.
During debriefing, the girl provided critical information about the terrorist network, including recruitment methods and operational strategies.
Family Reunited, Identity Protected
Given the girl’s young age, authorities immediately contacted her family. Her mother and siblings were brought to Karachi, and the girl was handed over with full protection, dignity and respect.
Sindh Home Minister Lanjar assured that the state is the guarantor of the girl’s safety, honour and future, and confirmed that her identity is being kept strictly confidential.
Victim’s Testimony Highlights Radicalisation Threat
In an emotional testimony shared anonymously, the girl revealed how extremist content repeatedly appeared on her social media feeds, gradually normalising hatred and violence. She said she was further targeted after the handler learned that her father had passed away.
“They portrayed terrorism as heroism. My studies suffered, and I was made to believe that sacrificing my life was the greatest purpose,” she said.
She added that being stopped at a police checkpoint made her realise the devastating consequences of the path she was being pushed toward. “I am a Baloch. Our traditions respect women. Sacrificing girls is not Balochism,” she said, warning others that those preaching sacrifice are “hunters, not helpers.”
Her mother said the family decided to speak publicly in the national interest so that no other child falls victim to extremist grooming. “Like a mother, the state saved my daughter’s life and fully protected her honour,” she said.
Zero Tolerance Against Terror Facilitators
CTD officials reiterated that strict action will be taken against facilitators and terrorist networks under a zero-tolerance policy. They urged social media platforms to strengthen monitoring mechanisms, shut down extremist accounts and address algorithm-driven promotion of hateful content.
Parents were also advised to closely monitor children’s online activities, with officials warning that “a single mobile phone can put an entire family at risk.”
Lanjar said the incident exposed the brutal reality of banned outfits exploiting children for terrorism. “Suicide attacks are forbidden in Islam, humanity and Baloch traditions. This is not resistance — it is child exploitation and terrorism,” he said.
Government Reacts Strongly
Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar said the entire nation has now seen the “ugly face” of the BLA and BLF. He confirmed that several terrorist-linked social media accounts have been shut down, further crackdowns are underway, and a National Cyber Crime Agency has been established.
He added that the government is also working on a regulatory framework for digital broadcasting and online journalism, with policy details to be announced soon.
