Key points
- Bombers’ body samples led to a breakthrough in the probe
- National Database and Registration Authority revealed her identity
- Assailant ended up with terrorists while studying at university
ISLAMABAD: The ongoing probe into Monday’s suicide bombing in Pakistan’s southern Baluchistan province – which killed at least one and injured three people – has uncovered startling revelations about the ordeals of the 25-year-old female bomber.
Female suicide bombers are rare in Pakistan. The last confirmed suicide attack by a woman was in 2022 in the southern port city of Karachi.
Monday’s assault was in Kalat, about 170 kilometres (105 miles) southwest of Balochistan’s capital, Quetta.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing, but suspicion has fallen on the outlawed Baluchistan Liberation Army.
The group, which Pakistan and the US have designated a terrorist organisation, has targeted civilians and security forces mainly in the Baluchistan province.
The probe
When authorities began an investigation into the attack, police officials said body parts of the assailant were recovered from the scene.
Based on the forensic report, authorities were able to establish the suicide bomber’s identity.
Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) identified the assailant as Ganjatoon alias Baramash, a resident of Gwadar, a port city on the southwestern coast of the Baluchistan.
As soon as her identity was established, sleuths began uncovering details to determine how exactly a drug addict labourer’s daughter ended up in the ranks of a terrorist organisation.
Struggle with poverty
According to sources, Ganjatoon had six brothers and three sisters. Her father worked as a labourer but eventually became addicted to drugs, spending most of his time away from home.
The family lived in poverty and struggled with hunger, but Ganjatoon continued her education.
Her story mirrors that of many young women in Baluchistan, such as Adeela Baluch – a young women rescued by Pakistani security forces while being trained to become a suicide bomber. Adeela made headlines when she addressed a press conference, detailing the tactics deployed by terrorist organisations to “trap and blackmailing Baluch women to coerce them into committing terrorism” in the province.
University drop out
After securing good marks in college, Ganjatoon enrolled at Gwadar University, where she met Kamran, a student in the education department and a member of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
They became “friends,” and both began skipping classes. As a result, Ganjatoon failed and was expelled after the first semester.
Sources further said she continued dating Kamran, who dropped out in the third semester. By that time, Kamran had already recorded several objectionable videos of their time together and started blackmailing her.
Radicalisation
Under duress, Kamran forced her to join the Baloch Yakjehti Committee’s protest.
This involvement with the Baloch Yakjehti Committee pushed her towards radicalisation, sources said.
Kamran repeatedly blackmailed her with threats to release the videos, taking her to his commander. She was kept with the commander for ten nights, during which Kamran received $359 (0.1 million Pakistani rupees) for this “service.”
After enduring continuous blackmail and trauma, Ganjatoon eventually agreed to become a suicide bomber. Thus, another tragic story culminated in a horrific outcome.
