QUETTA: The banned militant group Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is using children and teenagers for weapons smuggling and militant attack, the head of Balochistan police’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has said.

In a press conference on Friday, CTD DIG Atizaz Ahmed Goraya claimed his department has uncovered “comprehensive details” of BLA’s chain of command, planning, logistics, and those who provided supplies and hideouts.

The under custody BLA members have disclosed that the group “strategically use minors to transport weapons” since children are less likely to be searched at checkpoints, the DIG claimed.

DIG Goraya claimed the BLA “exploited” financially vulnerable children by offering them cash incentives of up to Rs50,000.

Former ‘militant’ surrenders, says he was misled into hating labourers from Punjab

Similar claims were made by Talat Aziz, a former Punjab University student who joined BLA but has now surrendered.

Mr Aziz told the media that he was “trapped” into joining the ban-ned outfit where he was also made a “commander”.

He said he was convinced to join the group “under promises of a new life on the mountains” and received training at BLA’s camps.

He said militants were trained to carry out attacks against workers from Punjab and “discussed plans for breaking up the country”.

“Despite being educated in Punjab, I was misled into believing that I should harbour hatred towards Punjabis, which I now realise is baseless.”

Mr Aziz advised the youth of Balochistan to “avoid extremist influences”, stating that he was misled to the point of “disregarding his own and his family’s dignity”.

Role in Dukki, Musakhail attacks

The CTD DIG hinted at BLA’s involvement in the killing of 21 coal miners in Dukki last month.

He said the banned outfit was also collecting extortion money from mine owners in Duki and other areas.

After the attack in August when more than 20 passengers were killed in different parts of Balochistan, the federal and provincial governments issued orders to arrest the attacker.

He said a joint operation by CTD, intelligence agencies, Frontier Corps, police and Levies in Musakhail led to the killing of three alleged terrorists while two were arrested who divulged “important details” during the investigation.

DIG Goraya claimed that the arrested militants confessed to direct involvement in attacks and weapons supply.

As per the investigation, the BLA had “partnered with another armed group” for the supply of weapons.

He noted that Musakhail had previously seen no terrorist activity, and clues from recent events helped uncover a recruitment network of BLA.

The provincial minister for Public Health, Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran, emphasised the state’s resolve to counter terrorism.

He questioned the violent methods employed by these groups under the guise of “freedom” and assured that the government would work to counter the narrative of hatred toward Punjabis.

He added that Mr Aziz, who has surrendered, will now resume studies with the Punjab government’s support.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2024