Security forces arrest former university teacher from Balochistan’s Panjgur over links to banned organisation

Quetta (Web Desk): Authorities in Balochistan have uncovered a worrying trend of militants using the Balochistan Yakjehti Committee (BYC) as a front to lure young people into extremist networks.

This was revealed on Thursday by Deputy Inspector General of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), Aitzaz Goraya, during a press briefing alongside Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat.

Goraya disclosed the arrest of a suspect from Turbat, along with the detention of several teenagers, highlighting the BYC’s role in the recruitment process. “It has become clear that anyone involved in what they term a sharing or intelligence network seems to be connected to the BYC in some way,” he said.

The operation led to the capture of Sajid Ahmad, also known as Shahwaiz, a Turbat resident, while he was traveling from Panjgur to Turbat.

Law enforcement officials said that in addition to the arrest, a massive stockpile of weapons and explosives was seized from his vehicle, including a rocket-propelled grenade and five rockets, two M-16 rifles with 23 magazines and 800 rounds, 20 hand grenades, 30 slabs of C4 explosives, remote controls, 13 UBGL rounds, a compass, helmets, and 30 feet of detonating cord.

Goraya shared that Sajid, who holds a Master’s degree in Sociology from the International Islamic University in Islamabad, had previously worked on a contract basis at Zubaida Jalal Government College for three years and later joined the University of Turbat as a lecturer. Investigators linked him to the BLF and BLA militant groups, noting that he maintained ongoing communication with BYC leaders.

Forensic and mobile data analysis revealed that Sajid had compiled a list of sensitive locations in Turbat, including the CTD complex, routes to Turbat Airport, and an under-construction high court building. Goraya added that three other suspects had also been apprehended, and formal FIRs are being registered against them.

One of the detainees is 18-year-old Sarfaraz from Kharan, who had been tasked with observing police movements and polio-related activities after initially being recruited into the BYC through protests and roadblocks. Goraya said Sarfaraz was introduced to the group by Jahanzaib, also known as Mehrbaan, aged 20, who is now in custody.

Jahanzaib reportedly handled reconnaissance and transport duties, including delivering Rs600,000 from extortion collected in Quetta and later Rs1,000,000 along with medical supplies.

He also recruited 18-year-old Bezan into the BYC, who eventually joined the BLA. Goraya noted that Bezan’s brother, Shafqat Yar, was killed during a shooting incident targeting the Levies force in Khad Kocha.

Authorities allege that Jahanzaib organized BYC roadblocks in Nushki and Kharan and played a key role in the group’s “missing persons” protests, controlling both participants and social media posts. “These are young individuals whose minds were manipulated and redirected toward extremist tasks,” Goraya explained.

On the wider issue of the militant group Fitna al-Hindustan, Goraya said the BYC serves as an initial platform for recruitment before militants exploit children for operational purposes, taking advantage of the fact that young people are rarely checked when attending schools or colleges.

The government has designated Balochistan-based terrorist networks as Fitna al-Hindustan to underscore India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilization efforts within Pakistan.