QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) – Security forces in southwestern Pakistan have apprehended a university lecturer named Usman Qazi, who is accused of planning a foiled suicide attack aimed at last week’s Independence Day celebrations in Balochistan province, which has been plagued by insurgency. This revelation was announced by the province's Chief Minister, Sarfraz Bugti, during a press conference held in Quetta.

Qazi is believed to have connections with the outlawed Majeed Brigade, identified as the suicide squad of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). Bugti presented video footage during the conference, in which Qazi purportedly confessed to plotting the thwarted attack and assisting militants in various activities over recent years. However, it remains unclear whether these admissions were made under pressure.

The timing of Qazi's arrest coincides with a significant development, as just a week prior, the U.S. State Department had designated both the BLA and the Majeed Brigade as foreign terrorist organizations, a designation that is already in effect domestically. Bugti emphasized that this arrest marks a major accomplishment for security forces, who acted on intelligence to capture a senior member of the Majeed Brigade.

According to Bugti, Qazi also confessed to his involvement in past violent incidents, including the railway station bombing in Quetta last year, which resulted in the deaths of 32 individuals. Despite the seriousness of the situation, there has been no immediate response from the BLA regarding the arrest of Qazi.

Balochistan is a region that has long dealt with violence attributed to separatist groups, notably including the BLA. This province is rich in natural resources and plays host to various projects associated with the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Insurgents have targeted both Chinese nationals and Pakistani security forces in the area, reflecting ongoing tensions.

The separatists' demands primarily revolve around gaining independence from Pakistan's central government in Islamabad. While the government asserts that it has managed to suppress the insurgency, incidents of violence continue to erupt in Balochistan, signaling that the conflict remains unresolved.