Security forces foil plot to subvert Pakistan Day functions
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QUETTA: Security forces foiled an attempt of terrorist act on or before Pakistan Day by seizing a huge quantity of arms and ammunition from Quetta, border town of Chaman and Qila Abdullah areas of Balochistan.
This was disclosed by the Provincial Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti at a Press Conference here on Friday. DIG Frontier Corps Brigadier Tahir Mehmood was also present on the occasion.
He said that Security forces launched a search operation in New Kahan area of Hazar Ganji, Qila Abdullah and Chaman, on a tip from intelligence agencies about the movement of huge quantity of illegal arms and ammunition in these areas.
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“The involvement of Indian secret agency RAW could not be ruled out in providing funds and weapons to banned organisations for carrying out terrorist activities in Quetta and other areas of Balochistan on March 23”, said Mr Bugti, adding that search operations were being conducted in different areas.
However, he denied that military operation was being carried out in any area of the province and said that claims by outlawed organisations were not true.
He, however, said that the search operation was continuing in some area on information provided by the intelligence agencies.
Replying to a question, the home minister said that forces were also keeping a vigilant eye on banned Taliban outfits which reportedly entered Balochistan from North Waziristan and Fata where armed forces launched the Zarb-i-Azb operation against them and had destroyed their hideouts in the area. “They have no place to hide after the security forces operation in these areas and destruction of hideouts.”
Responding yet another question, Mr. Bugti said that there was no need to involve army in such operation. FC and other law enforcement agencies were conducting such raids.
The minister said that “arms and ammunition was dumped in caves in the mountains near Hazar Ganji area in the outskirts of Quetta.”
He said that forces intercepted a vehicle being used for smuggling illegal arms and ammunition that had been brought from across the border. “The weapons were kept in the secret cavities of the vehicle,” he said. However, no arrest was reported.
He said that it was a matter of satisfaction that people were extending cooperation and informing the forces about the presence of outlaws involved in subversive activities. He said targeted operation against miscreants was being carried out with the help of people.
The seized weapons and ammunition include 57 mortar shells, huge quantity of explosives, 2 SMGs, 9 magazines along with 340 rounds, 10 RPG-7 rounds, and 2022 sniper rifles and a large number of their rounds.
Published in Dawn March 7th , 2015
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