QUETTA: Security of air-traffic control radar station and defence installations in Pasni and other areas of coastal district of Gwadar was beefed up by deploying more security personnel after last night’s attack on the radar station.

An armed group of suspected militants had attacked air-traffic control radar station in Pasni area affecting air traffic on the internal route for some time. A spokesman for the banned Baloch Republican Army (BRA) had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Sarbaz Baloch, the spokesman for BRA, claimed that radar system was destroyed.

However, officials of Pasni civil administration and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) denied any damage to the radar station and said that it was working without any problem.

“The radar was switched off by the engineers during the attack,” a senior official of the CAA said, adding that the step was taken to save it from damage.

He said the air traffic had been affected for some time. He said the radar was “working normally now” and personnel of the Airport Security Force had foiled the attack by returning fire.

However, Civil Aviation Authority officials said the security of the radar station would be strengthened by deploying more ASF personnel who would be equipped with heavy weapons.

“More ASF men will be deployed at the air-traffic control radar system to ensure its safety,” an official said.

Meanwhile, the Gwadar district administration beefed up the security of all important installations and places by deploying more personnel.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2015

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