July 15, 2008	Tuesday	Rajab 11, 1429

LARKANA, July 14: A Sindh paramilitary force will be raised on the pattern of Frontier Constabulary with an initial induction of 15,000 personnel, said Provincial Police Officer, Sindh, Sultan Salahuddain Babar Khattak.

The Border Force will be made part of it under his command, he said at a press conference after presiding over a meeting of police officers of Sukkur on Monday.

In reply to a question, he said the series of blasts in Karachi was the work of anti-state forces out to destabilise peace and sanctity with investigations underway to arrest perpetuators. He disclosed of making headway after the arrest of few culprits having links with political and ethnic parties but refused to divulge their identities.

He denied of terrorists being trained in Karachi Madrassahs for these were under constant watch. He acknowledged people from Waziristan landing in Karachi but contested them to be terrorists for such elements can’t move freely.

To a query, he denied abolishing the Investigation Wing of Police rather been put under the command of DPO Operation.

When pointed towards disparity in promotions between police of Interior and Karachi, Babar Khattak denied having any such knowledge with the promise to investigate, if it existed, as according to him promotions take place on regional basis like Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur regions.

On re-emergence of dacoits in Sindh, he blamed inaccessibility to hideouts, lack of operations, and tribal and land disputes for resurfacing of such activities.

Responding to another query, he informed of the beginning of the third phase of operation in the jurisdictions of four police stations of Lyari along with the deployment of a permanent force to contain crime. Gangsters, he said, had fled from the area adding socio-economic packages would soon be announced for the people of that area.

Expressing satisfaction over launching of anti-dacoit operation in Shikarpur, the PPO said around 26 kidnapped victims had been recovered in a fortnight with efforts on to recover remaining 16 from the clutches of kidnappers and appreciated the support of home minister.

The operation will not be a ‘short-lived’ as it was to be extended to other districts of the province infected with the menace, he said.

About police force, he disclosed, more on the anvil for their welfare.