35 militants killed, three commanders held in operation near Quetta

QUETTA: Security forces killed 35 operatives of Balochistan-based militant groups and took at least three of their commanders into custody during intelligence-based operations carried out in recent days in the hills around Quetta, the Balochistan government said on Sunday.

According to Chief Minister’s aide Shahid Rind, the operation began on May 13 and continued for at least four days in the Mangla Zarghoon Gar area, a mountainous belt on the outskirts of the provincial capital.

"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 came after a series of violent incidents in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan. Earlier this month, several locations in Quetta were targeted in rocket attacks, which officials said were launched from surrounding mountainous areas.

At a recent press conference, DIG Imran Shoukat had said the city was facing multiple security threats and that strict security arrangements were being enforced for the protection of residents.

Last week, movement on the Quetta-Taftan road was halted after a bridge in Mastung’s Sheikh Wasil area was blown up. Unidentified men had also set fire to trucks transporting goods from Iran.

According to the government spokesperson, pressure was increasing on militants and their facilitators, and the state would continue action until terrorism was eliminated.

Section 144 imposed across Balochistan

Earlier in the day, the provincial government imposed Section 144 across Balochistan, placing restrictions on the display and use of weapons, pillion riding, tinted vehicle windows, unregistered motorcycles, and gatherings of five or more people.

A notification issued by the Home Department on Sunday also barred people from covering their faces in public with masks, mufflers or any other means that could obstruct identification.

The restrictions were enforced under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, and took immediate effect for 30 days.

The notification said the measures were introduced to maintain law and order and to prevent any untoward incident. The order was issued with the approval of Additional Chief Secretary Home Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat, and implementation instructions were sent to commissioners, deputy commissioners, police officials and law enforcement agencies across the province.

Balochistan government aide for the Home Department Babar Yousafzai said that after the imposition of Section 144, pillion riding and gatherings of more than four people had been banned.

He said security agencies were on high alert to counter any possible action by Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan, the terms used by the state for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and Balochistan-based militant groups, respectively.

Mr Yousafzai said any adventurism or unlawful activity by banned outfits would receive a strong and decisive response. He added that all security forces were fully prepared and alert, and that all necessary arrangements had been finalised to deal with any unpleasant situation.

Train services suspended

Separately, Pakistan Railways suspended train operations from Balochistan to other parts of the country for two days because of what officials described as unavoidable circumstances.

Railway authorities said the Jaffar Express from Quetta to Peshawar would remain cancelled on May 18 and 19. On those two days, the train will run only up to Jacobabad and return from there instead of travelling onward to Quetta.

Officials added that the Bolan Mail service from Quetta to Karachi and the Chaman Passenger service to Chaman were already suspended.