March, 20 2005	Sunday	09 Safar 1426

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ISLAMABAD, March 19: Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao on Saturday said that no military operation was being conducted in Dera Bugti and added that the Frontier Constabulary (FC), which was already deployed there, was being reinforced to foil anti-state activities in Balochistan. He told a press conference that troops were only being deployed around gas installations in Sui to prevent further damage at the hands of militants. The minister revealed that Nawab Akbar Bugti had earlier in the day given an ultimatum to civil servants working in Sui and nearby areas to leave their workplaces by 3pm on Saturday. “A massive clash between the law-enforcement agencies and Bugti tribesmen is feared within the next couple of days,” a source in the interior ministry told Dawn.

A senior official said that following the killing of the FC personnel the attackers had been given a counter-reply by the law-enforcement agencies and it had been decided that stern action would be taken against them in the days to come.

The minister said that eight FC men were killed and 23 others injured in Thursday’s attack on them while 21 persons were killed and 34 others were injured on the other side.

He said Bugti tribe had started digging trenches around Dera Bugti to stop any movement from Sui towards the tribal area.

Mr Sherpao said that because of the magnitude of weapons being used in the area by the tribe, possibility of external factor’s involvement cannot be ruled out.

Giving details about the attack on the FC, he said 42 personnel of the FC travelling in five vehicles were ambushed at Sangsilla turn on the outskirts of Dera Bugti.

“This is the place where Bugtis have established a check-post and have outposts on the hills to check each and every vehicle coming in or going out of Dera Bugti,” he said.

About 150 armed Bugti tribesmen deployed at higher places initiated the attack, he said. The FC personnel were less in number and comparatively on lower position, he added.

The minister said when the encounter started, the FC used small arms whereas the Bugtis fired over 200 rockets of various calibres, including 107mm free flight rockets.

Disputing media reports, Mr Sherpao said only two Hindus were killed when a free flight rocket fell on the roof of a house.

APP adds: He said that Frontier Constabulary had been relieved from Sui to maintain law and order in other areas of the province in collaboration with the Levies and other security agencies.

Referring to digging of trenches allegedly by the Bugti tribesmen, Mr Sherpao said: “We shall not permit blocking of roads and shall not allow anyone to take law into their own hands. We shall establish writ of the government no matter what it takes.”

He said those giving ultimatum to people shall be countered and the government would ensure the safety of all its citizens and their properties.

In reply to a question, Mr Sherpao said political process was still continuing and added that those involved in Thursday’s attack wanted to derail this process.

“The miscreants wanted to give a message of poor law and order situation at a time when US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was visiting Pakistan,” he said.