ISLAMABAD, Jan 9: A tribal chief from Balochistan supporting military operations in Kohlu and Dera Bugti, on Monday said “government’s writ must be established in Balochistan because tribal chiefs like Nawab Akbar Bugti did not want the province and its people to develop and progress.”

Addressing a press conference, Ghulam Qadir Bugti, chief of Massorri tribe said: “The terrorists are getting help from foreign nations like India which does not want Pakistan to prosper.”

He said, “the military operations should have started long ago. The people have suffered at the hands of these terrorists and the government never listened to when they were told.”

The tribal chief contradicted reports of innocent lives being lost during these military operations.

“Gun-ship helicopters were used to destroy terrorist camps in Koh Pakil, Muranjh and Siah Koh. But there were no casualties and only empty terrorist hide-outs were destroyed.”

He said that destroying roads and blowing up gas pipelines was in no way justified. If Nawab Akbar Bugti wanted to protest he should do it in a proper manner, through dialogue.

It was imperative that government enforced law and order in Balochistan, the chief said.