In a major counterterrorism breakthrough, Sindh police, in coordination with federal intelligence agencies, have arrested a young Baloch woman allegedly being prepared as a suicide bomber targeting a convoy of foreign nationals in Karachi. The arrest was announced during a press conference by Sindh Interior Minister Zia Lanjhar, who detailed the growing threat of social media-based radicalization.
The woman, identified as Mahbal, hails from Kech district in Balochistan and was reportedly a student. Authorities said she had been recruited and radicalized over several months through social media platforms such as Facebook and Telegram. Emotional manipulation and regional grievances were reportedly used to influence her, while encrypted messaging apps allowed handlers abroad to coordinate the planned attack.
Radicalization Through Social Media
Officials revealed that Mahbal was in direct contact with operatives of the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), specifically its Majeed Brigade. Her facilitator, named Habib, assisted in the logistics of the operation. Forensic analysis of her devices uncovered extensive communication with the network, including instructional videos and extremist propaganda designed to prepare her for the attack.
The planned target was a convoy of Chinese engineers involved in Karachi development projects, with reconnaissance already conducted along the route. Authorities recovered materials and evidence indicating the attack was nearing its final stages. Minister Zia Lanjhar credited the arrest to proactive intelligence sharing between multiple law enforcement agencies.
Highlighting the shifting tactics of terrorist groups, Minister Zia Lanjhar warned that organizations are increasingly targeting women and youth. He emphasized that such recruits help bypass security measures and sometimes gain public sympathy. The minister urged parents to monitor children’s online activities and stressed that the government is enhancing cyber-monitoring to prevent radicalization. Pakistan has been actively asking major global social media platforms to act against terrorist organizations on their networks.
The investigation remains ongoing to identify other facilitators and the broader network operating both inside and outside Pakistan. Authorities said more details would be released as the inquiry progresses, signaling the seriousness of the threat and the proactive measures taken to thwart it.
