DERA GHAZI KHAN, Dec 23: The Border Military Police and Baloch Levy have jointly set up picket posts at the Balochistan border to stop infiltration of suspected militants into the Punjab in the wake of the military operation in Kohlu and Barkhan districts, it is learnt here on Friday.

Sources said the BMP of tribal area tehsil of Dera Ghazi Khan and the Baloch Levy had established their pickets on the direction of the interior ministry to check infiltration.

They said fears of infiltration (of militants) as a result of the ongoing operation in the areas of Balochistan, which are adjacent to the Punjab border, were growing.

Some 11 posts had been set up in the tribal tehsil of DGK and all mountainous exits had been sealed. The pickets have been set up at Baiwata pass, Padhri, Londa Daf, Darug Pass, Jhandi, Mari, Kharer Buzdar, Sora Pass, Chitar Wata, Koura Pass and Lazdan Pass.

In Rajanpur district, the BMP have already established picket posts at all mountainous exits in Bugti-dominated areas. As many as 200 armed personnel of the BMP and the Baloch Levy have at least 300-kilometre border from Dera Ghazi Khan to Rajanpur districts of southern Punjab.

Political assistant to Dera tribal area Tariq Bokhari told Dawn that he had enhanced security by establishing outer picket posts at the Balochistan border in the wake of the volatile situation.

The Dera tribal area comprises five union councils inhabited mostly by Legharis, Khosas, Buzdars, Qaisranis and Londs. Gorchani, Dareshak and Mazari tribes reside in the Rajanpur tribal area.