ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Chief of General Staff Lt General Bilal Akbar have agreed on the need for a more effective monitoring of crossing points between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

During a telephonic contact on Saturday, the two noted that incidents of terrorism had suddenly increased when these crossing points for travel between the two countries were open. The interior minister said that a vigilant eye should be kept on those entering the country from these points.

The minister — who also established telephonic contacts with Director General of Sindh Rangers Major General Muhammad Saeed and Inspector General of Balochistan Frontier Corps Major General Nadeem Ahmad Anjum to discuss the terrorist incidents in Quetta, Parachinar and Karachi — said it was a matter of concern that any incident in Afghanistan was associated with Pakistan without any investigation, but the infiltration of terrorists and involvement of the foreign hand in the worst kind of terrorism in Pakistan was conveniently overlooked by the West.

In telephonic conversations with senior security officials, the interior minister discusses recent incidents of terrorism

The minister underlined the need to bring further improvement in the monitoring of borders to end terrorism in Pakistan.

The minister expressed his concern that such incidents took place despite the issuance of threat alerts by the interior ministry to respective provincial governments and sharing of prior information.

He said it should be analysed as to why effective measures had not been put in place by the provincial government concerned when two threat alerts specifically mentioning Parachinar had been sent to it.

Commenting on the fresh wave of terror days before Eid, he said the purpose was to create chaos and uncertainty with respect to security. “Such cowardly acts can neither demoralise the nation and affect its resolve, nor can weaken the anti-terror campaign. The state of Pakistan will continue to resolutely take all possible steps to stamp out menace of terrorism,” he remarked.

The minister directed heads of paramilitary forces to thoroughly examine the information provided by intelligence agencies and utilise all resources to identify the groups, individuals and facilitators involved in these terror incidents and take them to task.

Chaudhry Nisar directed the Sindh Rangers DG to formulate an effective strategy to protect the lives and property of people in the coming days, particularly on the occasion of Eid.

During his telephonic conversation with the FC’s IG, the minister was briefed about an operation carried out by the paramilitary force near Quetta. He was told that two dangerous militants belonging to a terrorist organisation had been killed in the operation.

He said the two terrorists, Nazar Muhammad and Muhammad Jan, were involved in a number of terrorist activities, including the attacks on the Quaid-i-Azam residency, Quetta railway track and Quetta Express besides attacks on law enforcers.

The IG also briefed the minister over the killing of a traffic warden after being run over by the car of a Balochistan Assembly member in Quetta. The minister expressed satisfaction over the legal action so far been taken in the case.

Discussing Friday’s terror incident in Quetta, the minister said the incident could have been averted by effective strategy, or at least steps could have been taken to minimise the loss.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2017