- ISPR announces launch of operation against terror outfits in coordination with Rangers, Punjab Police and CTD
- National Security Committee of the Cabinet expresses concern over hostile spy agencies working to destablise Pakistan
- Meeting chaired by PM Nawaz decides to raise spy issue at global forums
Security forces, with assistance from Pakistan Army, have launched a much-awaited operation against terrorists and hardcore criminals in areas of southern Punjab.
“Coordinated operations are underway against terrorists and hardened criminals by law enforcement agencies including Rangers, Punjab Police, CTD, assisted by Pakistan Army in southern Punjab,” an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said on Wednesday.
The statement added that the terrorists have fled from different parts of the country as a result of Operation Zarb-i-Azb, and have taken refuge in the remote areas of Rohjan, Kache in district Rahim Yar Khan.
The operation is being led by Corp Commander Lahore Lt Gen Sadiq Ali with army troops, Punjab Police, Counter-Terrorism Department and Rangers participating.
No information has been provided yet regarding the number of arrests or casualties within the militant ranks.
The decision to conduct a security operation in South Punjab was taken after the horrific Gulshan-i-Iqbal park suicide attack in Lahore, which killed at least 76 people, mostly women and children.
Military sources had stated the army and Rangers will conduct a widespread operation across Punjab to target militants, their facilitators and their hideouts, following the carnage in Lahore.
Sources had said the decision was taken during a high-level military huddle, chaired by Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif at the General Headquarters.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, while chairing a high-level security meeting in Lahore, had also called for more proactive coordination amongst law enforcement and intelligence agencies against terrorism.
Analysts believe that South Punjab, with thousands of madrassas and a history of having provided foot soldiers to militant and sectarian outfits for decades, now offers a promising opportunity for the militant Islamic State (IS) to strengthen its network in the region.
“The main battle has to be fought in the tribal backyard, but the job will remain half-done unless the militant sanctuaries and support networks in the cities both in southern and northern Punjab are completely dismantled,” warned a Lahore-based security analyst.
NSC CONCERNED OVER HOSTILE AGENCIES’ ACTIVITIES IN PAKISTAN:
Earlier on Wednesday, a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) of the Federal Cabinet in Islamabad chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz expressed concern over the activities of hostile intelligence agencies working in Pakistan to destabilise the country.
The meeting of the NSC, which was also attended by Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, decided to raise the issue of the activities of hostile agencies in Pakistan with the world community.
The meeting was briefed on the steps being taken for national security in the country and expressed satisfaction over counter-terrorism efforts of the security institutions which have drawn appreciation from the international leadership.
The meeting also discussed at length, the deliberations at the recently held nuclear security summit and expressed satisfaction over international acknowledgement of the safety and security standards of Pakistan’s nuclear security regime and the National Command Authority.
The armed forces development programme, including the procurement of F-16 fighter jets from the US, was also discussed in the meeting.
The meeting was also attended by ministers for finance, defence, interior and information, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairman, chief of Naval Staff, chief of Air Staff, ISI director general, national security advisor and other senior officials.
The meeting came as an Afghan intelligence officer reportedly plotting terror attacks in Balochistan was arrested by security forces in Chaman.
Security personnel recovered a large amount of explosives and bomb-making instruments from the intelligence officer, who was shifted to an undisclosed location for further investigation.
Balochistan government spokesman Anwarul Haq Kakar said the arrest of the Afghan intelligence officer was a link in the chain of events that started with the arrest of Kulbhushan Jadav, an officer of Indian spy agency RAW, from Balochistan last month.
During investigation, and later in a video confession, Jadav revealed that he was a serving officer of the Indian Navy and was operating in Balochistan to facilitate separatist movement at the behest of RAW.
Yadav revealed that RAW maintains presence of a network of operatives in Balochistan and Karachi as part of its plan to destabilise Pakistan.