QUETTA: Frontier Corps claimed to have foiled a major bid of terrorism by seizing 4000 kilogrammes of explosives, suicide jackets, rockets and other weapons from different parts of Balochistan.

.— Photo by Ali Shah

Brigadier Tahir Mehmood, the Deputy Inspector General FC, while addressing a press conference on Thursday said that raids were conducted in the Gulistan area of district Qilla Abdullah, which borders with neighbouring Afghanistan and recovered a huge quantity of arms and ammunition. Home Minister Balochistan Sarafaraz Bugti was also present during the press conference.

Mehmood stated that one accused, identified as an Afghan national was also arrested during the operation. He also said that 31 sub machine guns, 101 missiles and other weapons were also recovered from Gulistan.

Mehmood further added that explosives and weapons were being brought to Quetta and other parts of Balochistan to carry out subversive activities on the eve of Muharram.

Also read: Balochistan: Security forces foil major terror plot ahead of Muharram

RAW and NDS creating unrest in the province: Minister

Balochistan’s Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti during the press conference accused Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Afghan intelligence agency National Directorate of Security (NDS) for creating unrest in the province, which has been plagued by terrorism for over a decade.

"They are creating unrest in Balochistan to achieve their nefarious designs," Bugti said. To another question, the Home Minister said government, law enforcement agencies along with people of Balochistan were determined to fight back the elements creating law and order problem here.

When asked about ISIS wall-chalking, Bugti said it was being interrogated by the government and that at this point of time he was not in a position to comment on this.

Bugti further added that anti State elements were bent upon destroying the peace of Balochistan. "We will not bow down before terrorists", Bugti said.

He praised the security forces for foiling major bid of terrorism by seizing huge catche of arms and ammunition during Muharram ul Harram.

Insurgency-hit Balochistan province has been plagued by rising sectarian violence in recent years.

According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, hundreds of thousands of citizens belonging to religious minority groups as well as settlers from other parts of Pakistan have left Balochistan, owing to an atmosphere of hostility and violence, which has been shaped by sectarian death squads, separatist militants, and the state.

There are numerous actors responsible for violence in Balochistan. Amongst the most lethal are sectarian groups that have repeatedly targeted Shias — mostly Hazaras — while the small Zikri community has also found itself in their cross hairs.

Explore: End sectarian violence in Balochistan, HRW urges

One person injured in Quetta explosion

A blast targeting a security forces' vehicle injured one person in Quetta's Hazar Ganji area on Thursday.

Imran Qureshi, the Superintendent of Police Sariab, told Dawn that militants had planted a bomb in a heap of garbage.

"When the security forces vehicle approached the area, there was a powerful blast," Qureshi said quoting eye witnesses.

He furthermore added that the injured person was a civilian, who was rushed to Bolan Medical Complex Hospital for medical treatment.

Police and Frontier Corps personnel arrived at the site of the blast as investigation into the incident went underway.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.