Law enforcement agencies have foiled a major terrorist conspiracy in Karachi after rescuing a young Baloch girl who was being groomed by banned militant outfits to carry out a suicide attack, senior officials revealed on Monday.

The revelations came during a press conference addressed by Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, alongside senior police officials, including Sindh CTD Additional IG Muhammad Azad Khan.

The home minister said Karachi was saved from a major catastrophe due to timely and effective intelligence-based action by law enforcement agencies.

Addl IG Khan disclosed that a minor girl was safely taken into custody during a highly sensitive intelligence operation on the night of December 25.

The operation foiled a plot by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), which were attempting to use the girl as a suicide bomber.

Social media used as weapon

Officials said the terrorists targeted the girl through social media platforms, particularly Instagram and WhatsApp. Her phone usage in secrecy was exploited by handlers who gradually poisoned her mind with anti-state, extremist and foreign-backed content.

The handler initially contacted her under the guise of sympathy and support, later convincing her that suicide attacks were acts of bravery and sacrifice.

According to CTD, the girl was deceptively sent to Karachi, while her family was misled and left behind. Due to heightened police checking at city entry points, the handler failed to reach the desired location, exposing the conspiracy.

During debriefing, the girl provided complete details of the terrorist network, its recruitment methods and operational strategy.

Family reunited, identity protected

Given her young age, authorities immediately summoned the girl’s family from Balochistan. Her mother and siblings reached 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 honour, safety and future, and her identity is being kept strictly confidential.

Victim’s testimony exposes chilling radicalisation

In an emotional account shared anonymously, the girl said hateful content repeatedly appeared on her social media feed, making extremist narratives seem “true”.

She said she was targeted further after the handler learned her father had passed away. “They portrayed BLA actions 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 terrified her and made her realise the disaster she was heading 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”.

The girl’s mother said the family chose to speak publicly in the national interest, so no other girl falls into the same trap.

“Like a mother, the state saved my daughter’s life and fully protected her honour,” she said.

Zero tolerance against facilitators

The CTD official stressed that strict action will be taken against facilitators and terrorist networks under the zero-tolerance policy.

He urged social media platforms to tighten checks, shut down extremist accounts and fix algorithms that promote hateful content. Parents were also advised to closely monitor children’s online activities, warning that “a mobile phone can put an entire family at risk.”

Lanjar said the incident proves that banned BLA and BLF are exploiting women and children as weapons.

“Suicide attacks are forbidden in Islam, humanity and Baloch traditions. This is not resistance — it is the worst form of terrorism and child exploitation,” he said.

Govt reacts strongly

Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar told Samaa TV that the entire nation has now seen the “ugly face” of BLA and BLF.

He said many terrorist-linked social media accounts have already been shut down, further crackdowns are underway, and a National Cyber Crime Agency has been formed.

The government is also considering a framework to regulate digital broadcasting and journalism, with policy details to be announced soon.