University lecturer held in Balochistan as security forces foil suicide attack on Aug 14

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Monday said that security forces foiled a major terror bid on Independence Day as they arrested a suspect, said to be the facilitator of a proscribed organisation.

Speaking at a press conference in Quetta, the chief minister said that suicide bombers had planned to attack citizens who were celebrating Independence Day. He praised the Counter-Terrorism Department, police, and other law enforcement agencies for their timely action that prevented “large-scale destruction.”

During the briefing, a video statement of the arrested suspect was played. In the clip, the man introduced himself as a university lecturer, holding a Master’s degree from Quaid-i-Azam University and a PhD from Peshawar University. He claimed that both he and his wife were government employees.

Bugti said that only limited details were being shared so as not to affect ongoing investigations.

He linked the group to last year’s bombing at Quetta Railway Station in which 32 people were killed and more than 50 injured.

According to the chief minister, the lecturer allegedly facilitated the attacker by transporting him to the site before handing him over to another handler nearby.

Also Read: People of Balochistan fully understand their bond with Pakistan: DG ISPR

Rejecting the narrative that militancy in Balochistan stems from deprivation, Bugti pointed out that the arrested man came from a well-settled family with several members employed in government and corporate sectors.

“How are they deprived when he studied on scholarships, holds a Grade-18 post, and his family benefits from government employment?” he asked.

Bugti said attempts to portray militants as victims were part of a larger effort to “justify the fight against Pakistan.” He added that residents who resisted the CTD operation during the lecturer’s arrest had also been booked. “We have registered cases against all of them, and arrests have been made,” he said.