Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has alleged that women were used in attacks carried out in Balochistan and claimed that confessions of arrested suspects prove India’s involvement in the recent wave of terrorism.
Addressing a press conference in Sialkot, the defence minister said women were used at two locations during the Balochistan attacks. He said those arrested had made disclosures indicating external involvement, particularly from India.
Khawaja Asif accused certain groups of using the cover of human rights to advance what he described as a false narrative. He termed the issue of missing persons a “total fraud,” claiming that many of those declared missing are living abroad, mainly in Dubai and Muscat, while their families continue to receive allowances. He alleged these groups were involved in attacks on state institutions.
The defence minister said terrorist attacks at 12 locations in Balochistan were completely thwarted and that militants fled after leaving behind many bodies. He claimed terrorists were now using women and children, adding that planners and handlers were based in Afghanistan. He warned India and Afghanistan against using groups such as the BLA and TTP as “franchises” to destabilize Pakistan.
He further said the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) was a foreign terrorist organization with a presence in several countries and that its aim was to push Pakistan back into economic instability.
Providing details of recent incidents, Khawaja Asif said attacks took place on Quetta’s Sariab Road, a suicide bombing targeted the FC headquarters in Dalbandin, and another attack occurred in Noshki, with a total of 12 locations targeted.
Commenting on international politics, the defence minister criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of seeking favor with Israel and closer ties with the United States. He also claimed that former US president Donald Trump had acknowledged that Pakistan shot down seven Indian aircraft.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, meanwhile, praised security forces, saying they fought terrorists “like lions” in Balochistan.
Khawaja Asif alleged that India was funding terrorist activities and said both government officials and civilians were being abducted. He referred to the arrest of a teenage suicide bomber in Karachi, claiming she confessed that she had been indoctrinated. He added that terrorists were now targeting poor people, but said all targets involved in the previous day’s incidents had been neutralized.
He said peace had been restored across Balochistan, though security forces were still engaged in operations. He added that facilitators were being arrested and warned that anyone found assisting terrorists would face the same fate.
The defence minister said the state would not hesitate to take any step necessary to protect the country. He concluded by urging all political parties to rise above personal interests and prioritize national unity, noting that children and women from all provinces were sacrificing their lives due to terrorism.
