QUETTA: Balochistan government has increased the security of the shrines of spiritual leaders, deploying more contingents of police, FC and Levies across the province, including Quetta, on Friday.

Balochistan faced two major suicide attacks on shrines, in Shah Noorani in Khuzdar district in Novem­ber last year and at the shrine of Pir Rakheel Shah in Gandawah area of Jhal Magsi on March 18, 2005.

Around 80 people had lost their lives in both the attacks.

Security of the shrines was beefed up after the suicide attack on the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar.

The apex committee, in its meeting held the other day, had decided to adopt effective security measures to ensure protection of all shrines, mosques and other places of worship in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan.

In Quetta, heavy contingents of law enforcement agencies, including police, FC and ATF were deployed at all places of worship to ensure security of the faithful during Friday prayers.

A meeting of senior police officers was also held under the Inspector General of Police, Balochistan, Ahsan Mehboob, where security measures were discussed.

Meanwhile, Security forces arrested over 20 suspects during a search operation in the Nushki area following the recent suicide attacks and bomb blasts in different parts of the country.

Official sources said that the personnel of Frontier Corps and police conducted the joint search operation in different areas of the town and in the adjoining areas and took 20 suspects into custody.

The arrested suspects belong to various religious groups.

They were handed over to the authorities concerned for investigation.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2017