ISLAMABAD, Dec 20: Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said on Tuesday the paramilitary force had taken target-specific action in Balochistan against anti-development elements.

He told a news conference that no military operation was under way in Balochistan.

The minister said the action had to be taken “against miscreants who have been targeting law-enforcement personnel, infrastructure and common people”.

He said the provincial government as well as people of the province had asked for action against these elements.

Mr Sherpao said there was evidence that these elements were also extending their activities to Sindh and Punjab.

He said the security forces had conducted raids in the areas of Baer and Fazal Chel in Balochistan against anti-state elements based on solid information about their activities and responded to their attacks on law-enforcement personnel.

Mr Sherpao said that the security forces had arrested a person during the action and recovered arms and ammunition, including six rocket launchers, 58 rockets and AK-47 rifles.

In reply to a question, he said the security forces had suffered no harm while no information was available yet about casualties among the miscreants.

Answering another question, Mr Sherpao said the government wanted to resolve the issues in Balochistan through political dialogue with the leadership of the province.

He reiterated the government’s resolve to carry forward the development process in Balochistan for the uplift of the people of the province.

He pointed out that President Pervez Musharraf had announced a Rs1.5 billion package for infrastructure development in Kohlu area during his recent visit there to improve the living standard of the people.

— APP