Security beefed up in Balochistan following Hakimullah killing

Published November 2, 2013
Security personnel gather at a site of a bomb explosion in Quetta. – AFP Photo/File
Security personnel gather at a site of a bomb explosion in Quetta. – AFP Photo/File

QUETTA: Security has been beefed up in the provincial capital Quetta and other restive parts of Balochistan Saturday in the aftermath of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakimullah Mehsud’s killing.

An intelligence official, who requested not to be named since he was not authorised to speak to the media, told Dawn.com that security forces were placed on a high alert to avoid occurrence of any untoward incident.

Apart from police and Balochistan Constabulary, personnel of Frontier Corps were also deployed at all sensitive parts of Quetta, he said. Security was tightened at all entry and exit points of the city and patrolling was also increased to avoid occurrence of any terrorist attack.

“We are taking pre-emptive measures to ensure peace,” he explained.

The government of Balochistan has already doubled security arrangements in the wake of fast approaching holy month of Muharram in the province.

Home Secretary Balochistan, Asad Gailani told Dawn.com that around 8,000 police and paramilitary troops will be deployed in Quetta alone during the Islamic month celebrated mainly by minority Shia Muslims of the country. “There would be aerial surveillance of Ashura processions,” he said.

Plagued by growing sectarian violence mainly against Shia Hazara community and attacks of Baloch separatists, Balochistan has witnessed worst incidents of suicide attacks and high profile targeted killings and kidnappings in the recent past.

Six people of the community were killed and one injured when gunmen opened indiscriminate fire at their vehicle in the Mach area of Bolan district on Friday also.

The TTP has also made claims of major suicide bombings. Similarly Baloch armed groups have claimed to carry out major attacks against the security forces and the government personalities.

Opinion

Editorial

No time left
Updated 06 Feb, 2025

No time left

Climate change concerns continue to remain a footnote as politics dominates national discourse, surfacing only when disaster strikes.
Karim Aga Khan
06 Feb, 2025

Karim Aga Khan

PRINCE Karim Aga Khan was a man who straddled various worlds and cultures. Beyond his role as spiritual leader of ...
Cotton production
06 Feb, 2025

Cotton production

PAKISTAN’S cotton crop is on the ropes. The crop output has been falling since FY15, when the country harvested a...
Kashmir question
Updated 05 Feb, 2025

Kashmir question

The important thing is to continue dialogue process, on bilateral disputes, Kashmir issue, and move beyond rigid positions.
Letters from jail
05 Feb, 2025

Letters from jail

OVER the past week, former prime minister Imran Khan has directly addressed his concerns to both the chief justice ...
Agriculture tax
05 Feb, 2025

Agriculture tax

WITH Sindh and Balochistan finally approving changes to their agriculture income tax laws to harmonise their AIT...