KEEP HANDS OFF BALOCHISTAN

Army Chief Gen Raheel warns foreign states, agencies...

Zarb-e-Azb may extend to entire province to fight insurgents

Staff Reporter

Thursday, April 16, 2015 - Quetta/Islamabad—Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday warned foreign states and their spy agencies against trying to destabilize Pakistan by supporting insurgents in Balochistan.

This he said during his visit to Quetta, where he met Governor, Chief Minister and Commander Southern Command.

According to a statement issued by the army’s chief spokesman Maj-Gen Asim Bajwa, General Raheel Sharif visited FC Headquarters, reviewed security situation and the progress made in FC operation against terrorists.

Army Chief General Raheel Sharif warned enemies of the state of dire consequences, saying that state would go to any length to establish its writ.

Expressing grief on brutal killing of poor and innocent labourers by terrorists in Turbat, he vowed to support Balochistan government to eliminate them totally.

Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, warned foreign states and intelligence agencies against trying to destabilize Pakistan by supporting terrorists in Balochistan saying, “We will defeat them comprehensively.” 

The COAS commended law enforcement agencies and FC for noticeable law and order improvement. He vowed to stand by the people of Balochistan to bring peace and prosperity.

“We will unearth terrorists, abettors, sympathizers, financiers. None will find place in country to hide. We will go to any length for the writ of state,” he said.

Highlighting security challenges of vast Balochistan, he emphasized need to adopt integrated approach by civil and military leadership and LEAs for peaceful Balochistan. 

He said that Frontier Works Organization will continue its construction projects in the area.

Inspector General FC Major Gen Sher Afghan briefed the COAS about law and order situation in the province and search operations being carried out in Turbat and its outskirts. Senior military officials, FC personnel and other higher-ups also attended the meeting.

Earlier, Commander of Southern Command Lt General Nasir Khan Janjua received the Army Chief.

Inspector General Frontier Crops Sher Afghan, Balochistan home secretary, IG Police and other high officials were present during the meeting.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met Army chief General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday to discuss national security and the law and order situation of Balochistan. Sources say that Operation Zarb-e-Azb might be expanded to Balochistan to fight against Baloch insurgents as well.

The army launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb against militants in North Waziristan in June 2014.

“Army chief General Raheel Sharif and Prime Minister apart from this issue also discussed visiting top level delegation led by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presently in Saudi Arabia,” the sources further added.

The meeting came days after a sickening orgy of bloodshed played out in a remote town of southern Balochistan on April 11 when 20 construction workers were methodically massacred in a predawn attack on their camp near Turbat city in Kech district of Balochistan.