QUETTA, Jan 14: Balochistan IGP Saud Gohar has said that law- enforcement agencies have arrested three suspected terrorists in Nushki for their alleged involvement in killing of security personnel and in subversive activities.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, he said the interrogation of the arrested persons had yielded information about their gang and the method of operation.

He said that they usually changed their bases in the far-flung areas making it difficult to arrest their important members.

“We are after them and soon they would be arrested,” the IGP said.Blaming the issuing of fake SIMs a source for promotion of terrorism, he said that police had suggested to the government to bind cellular companies not to issue SIMs without identification.

He said he had also suggested to the government to set up three new police stations and 18 more checkpoints in and around Quetta.

He said that terrorism and subversive activities increased in Balochistan by 19 per cent during 2007. About 186 people were killed and 445 injured in 540 incidents of terrorism and sabotage.

He said that police had recovered 1,855 kilogramms of drugs, over 1,000 weapons and 18 kg of explosives during the year.

He said that a security plan had been prepared for Muharram and it would be implemented with the help of the Frontier Corps.

He said that police and personnel of other law-enforcement agencies had been deployed at 65 Imambargahs in Quetta.

Replying to a question, he said that arrangements had been made for holding peaceful elections on Feb 18.

“Steps were taken to deal with elements who could create problems during the elections,” he said, adding that Quetta, Dera Bugti, Qila Abdullah, Khuzdar, Bolan and Kohlu districts had already been declared sensitive areas for elections.