QUETTA: Security forces on Monday seized a truck carrying around 5,000 kilogrammes of explosives as it was attempting to enter Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.
They also recovered a large number of weapons during raids and searches conducted in Quetta, Panjgur and Zhob areas of the province.
Weapons seized during the raids include landmines, improvised explosives devices (IEDs), rocket launchers, mortar bombs and a large number of AK-47 rifles along with thousands of rounds of ammunition.
A truck laden with 5,000 kilograms of explosives was seized and three suspects were arrested as they made an attempt to enter Quetta.
"Terrorists wanted to sneak into Balochistan after the military operation in tribal belt," Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti told media personnel at Frontier Corps’ Madadgar Centre.
Bugti said that terrorists were facing a tough time in the aftermath of operation Zarb-i-Azb and they were trying to hide in different parts of the country.
Commander Southern Command Lieutenant General Nasir Khan Janjua, Inspector General Frontier Corps, Major General Ejaz Shahid and other high-ranking officials were also present on the occasion.
Bugti stated that terrorists were trying to smuggle weapons into Balochistan to carry out major terrorists activities. "Our forces and intelligence agencies foiled their nefarious designs," he added.
He said intelligence agencies and FC personnel played an important role in the foiling of this major terror bid and added that, "We will wipe out terrorism from Balochistan."
Bugti said that Baloch separatists had no capability to cause any damage to national stability rather security forces were determined to ensure peace.
"Law and order situation is not ideal but we have foiled major terror bids," he added.
In response to a question about pro-Islamic State (IS) wall-chalking, Bugti said there was no IS, also known locally by its Arabic acronym ‘Daish’, in Balochistan or in the country.
The Home Minister, however termed, excavation of trenches at the porous Pak-Afghan border as an effective step towards improving law and order, and added that, "Through this trench we will ensure stopping of illegal movement across the border."
Bugti claimed that Afghan and Indian Intelligence services were engaged in creating unrest in Balochistan.
He stated that suspects were also detained in connection with the murder of polio workers in Quetta.
"Hopefully a breakthrough would be made in apprehending the killers of polio workers," he said.
Bugti said that police officers were also suspended with regards to the cold-blooded murder of polio workers for their negligence.
The Home Minister stated that the morale of police was high and that they were well-equipped to counter terrorists in the province.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s resource-rich and largest province by area, suffers from an upsurge in sectarian violence and attacks by separatist militants.
Armed militants have targeted security forces and pro-government politicians for over seven years in the province which borders Afghanistan and Iran.
