At least three commanders of Balochistan-based terrorist outfits are in custody and 35 of their operatives have been killed in Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs) carried out over recent days, the Balochistan government announced on Sunday.
CM’s aide Shahid Rind told media that security forces launched an operation on May 13 in the Mangla Zarghoon Gar area, a hilly locality on the outskirts of Quetta which stretched over four days.
“Security forces destroyed many camps and hideouts in the successful operation and arrested three commanders during the operation,” Rind said in a statement.
The announcement follows a string of violent incidents across the province. Earlier this month, multiple sites in Quetta came under rocket attacks, which authorities said that were launched from positions in the surrounding mountains.
DIG (Deputy Inspector General) Imran Shoukat, at a press conference held recently, noted that the city was up against multiple security threats and that strict measures were being enforced to protect citizens.
Last week, traffic on the Quetta-Taftan road came to a halt after a bridge was blown up in the Sheikh Wasil area of Mastung. Unidentified men also torched trucks transporting goods from Iran around the same time.
The provincial spokesperson said that the noose was tightening around terrorists and their facilitators, adding that state action would press on until terrorism was rooted out.
Earlier on Sunday, the Balochistan government slapped Section 144 across the province, putting a ban on weapons display and use, pillion riding, tinted vehicle windows, unregistered motorcycles, and gatherings of five or more people.
A notification from the Home Department also barred citizens from covering their faces in public whether through masks, mufflers, or any other means that could obstruct identification.
The orders, enforced under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 1898, took effect immediately and will remain in place for 30 days. The notification stated the measures were put in place to maintain law and order and prevent untoward incidents.
The order carries the approval of Additional Chief Secretary Home Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat. Instructions for enforcement have been passed on to commissioners, deputy commissioners, police officials, and law enforcement agencies across the province.
Balochistan government’s aide for the Home Department, Babar Yousafzai, confirmed that pillion riding and gatherings of more than four people stand banned following the imposition of Section 144.
He added that security agencies are on high alert against any potential move by “Fitna al Khawarij” and “Fitna al Hindustan” terms used by the state for the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and Balochistan-based terror groups respectively warning that any unlawful activity by banned outfits would draw a strong and decisive response.
Pakistan Railways has suspended train operations from Balochistan to other parts of the country for two days, citing unavoidable circumstances. The Jaffar Express running between Quetta and Peshawar stands cancelled on May 18 and 19.
Railway officials said that the train would only run up to Jacobabad on both days and return from there instead of continuing to Quetta.
The Bolan Mail from Quetta to Karachi and the Chaman Passenger service to Chaman, officials added, were already suspended prior to this development.
