FILE PICTURE
QUETTA: Security forces in Balochistan said on Monday they had foiled a major sabotage attempt planned for Independence Day and arrested a Grade-18 university professor accused of facilitating the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
At a press conference in Quetta, Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti, flanked by senior police officials, said the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and other security agencies were making “relentless efforts” to maintain peace in the province.
He confirmed that the suspect, a lecturer at BUITEMS University, had been providing logistical support to militants.
A recorded video confession of the arrested man, identified as Usman Qazi, was also shown during the briefing. In the statement, Qazi admitted that he had used the Telegram messaging application to coordinate with militants.
He said that although the state had given him respect and position, he had “betrayed” it by facilitating terrorist activities. Expressing remorse, he urged students and young people to distance themselves from violent and separatist organizations, claiming the same network was behind the attack on Quetta Railway Station.
Qazi, a resident of Turbat, said he had completed an MPhil at Quaid-e-Azam University and a PhD in Peshawar, where he came into contact with extremist elements. After returning to Quetta, he was recruited by the BLA.
According to his account, he worked under the guidance of militant commander Basheer Zaib and once supplied a pistol to a female member of the organization, which was later used in targeted killings of government officials.
Chief Minister Bugti stressed that the provincial government and security forces remained committed to eliminating terrorism and ensuring stability in Balochistan.
Comments are closed.