QUETTA, June 24: The provincial capital would be made “arms free” and a clean up operation would be carried out soon for the recovery of illegal weapons in the city, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Mohammad Yousaf said on Tuesday.

Talking to newsmen after distributing compensation cheques among the families of the 12 police recruits who were killed in an armed attack two weeks ago on the Sariab Road, he said : “We are seriously considering launching an operation for making Quetta an arms-free city.” He said consultation was in progress in this regard.

He handed over cheques of Rs500,000 to the heirs of each murdered recruit and Rs250,000 to each injured.

“It is not an easy task and it needs proper preparation,” the chief minister said about the operation and added that the government wanted to end the atmosphere of fear and ensure protection of the life and property of people.

He said presence of illegal arms and ammunition was an important factor contributing to the increase in crimes. He said crimes could be reduced by banning the display of arms.

He said the government would fulfil its responsibility for maintaining law and order in the province and all possible steps would be taken in this connection.

He claimed that the law and order situation in the provincial capital had improved after measures taken by the police and the administration and the crime rate had dropped after the banning of pillion riding. “Criminals usually use motorbikes in robberies and other activities,” he said.

Replying to a question, he said all the law enforcement agencies, including the police, were investigating the Sariab road attack and the government would soon be in a position to expose the elements involved in the killing of police recruits.

He said the patrolling of police, frontier corps and other forces in the city had been increased.