QUETTA: The Frontier Corps (FC), Balochistan, along with other security agencies foiled an attempt by terrorists to attack Ashura events by recovering an explosives-laden vehicle and arresting three men in Pishin area on Saturday, sources said.

Security officials said that FC men accompanied by intelligence personnel launched an operation in the Killi Tor Shah area of Pishin district after getting a tip-off and managed to foil a terrorist plot.

“Security personnel raided a compound and seized an explosives-laden vehicle, readied to be used in an attack on the 10th of Muharram in Quetta, and arrested three terrorists, including the mastermind of the plot,” said an official.

The arrested men had been moved to an unknown location for further interrogation, he added.

Measures taken to protect Ashura processions in Quetta

Another raid

The security and intelligence personnel launched a similar operation in the Kahan area of Kohlu district and seized explosives, ammunition and anti-tank mines that apparently were to be used in an attack.

The successful operation was launched in connection with the Raddul Fasaad campaign to curb and control the menace of terrorism and extremism in the Makhi Nallah area of Kahan and recovered a large cache of arms and explosives.

“No arrest was made in the raid, but a large cache of arms, explosives, anti-tank mines and ammunition was confiscated that was hidden underground,” a source told Dawn.

Three hand grenades, 28 mortar guns, 477 rounds of light machine guns, 1kg of explosive material, seven anti-tank mines and other weapons were seized during the operation.

The sources added that special arrangements had been made to provide extra security to the Ashura procession. At least 7,000 police personnel had been deployed with FC personnel along the route of the procession.

Troops and officers of the Pakistan Army were on standby to deal with any untoward incident, the sources said.

All thoroughfares that are used by mourners in Quetta, including Alamdar, Liaquat, Prince, Mission and MeCongi roads, have been sealed off after closing all nearby shops, business centres, shopping plazas and markets in the presence of the people concerned, according to the sources.

On Sunday heavy contingents of FC, police, Levies Force, Anti-Terrorist Force and Balochistan Constabulary would be deployed in and around the procession route and people would be allowed to enter the procession after proper vetting and checking of identity cards.

The mobile phone service would remain suspended from morning to late evening, the sources said. Helicopters would monitor the overall situation and CCTV cameras installed at vantage points would be recording all movements.

Official sources added that army had been put on high alert to meet any eventuality.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2017