Governor directs to intensify anti-terrorism operation in GB

ISLAMABAD: Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan has directed police IG (IGP) to further intensify operation against the terrorists in the area to arrest them.

According to a statement issued by the governor, the IGP has also been directed to increase patrolling in Naran Babusar road and Karakorum Highway in the Diamer district to ensure the protection of passengers.

Meanwhile, talking to members of the peace committee Anjumin-e-Tajaran ulema and notables in Ghakuch, IG Police of Gilgit Baltistan Sanaullah Abbasi said security at check posts in nullahs has been intensified to avoid any untoward incident.

He said Pakistan Army and other law enforcement Agencies are also supporting the police in the operation. The IG police said joint investigation team is investigating the incident of burning of schools in the area.

The situation in violence-hit areas of Tanger and Darel districts of Gilgit Baltistan (GB) remains tense as the local administration has failed to take action against the suspects involved in setting over a dozen schools, almost half of them for girls, on fire.

MILITARY OPERATION IN GILGIT-BALTISTAN LIKELY:

Though the GB government claims that the situation is returning back to normal, several sources have informed Pakistan Today that the militants have taken control over Tanger and Darel. They said that a mob attacked the Tanger Police Station and freed around half-a-dozen suspects arrested for putting the schools on fire.

Last week, a meeting was also held at PWD Rest House in Chilas to review the law and order situation. The meeting was attended by the corps commander, GB force commander and inspector general of police (IGP). Later, the officers left for Gilgit on choppers to take up the situation with GB Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman, who is yet to visit the violence-hit areas.

The meeting was briefed on a possible operation against miscreants as the forces commanders agreed to apprehend all suspects involved in the schools’ ransack.

Sources at Tanger said that the area had virtually become a no-go area for the civilian administration. Though GB Spokesman Faizullah Faraq said that the CM would visit the violence-hit areas soon, he did not give a date for the same, reflecting the gravity of the situation on the ground.

The locals have also demanded the army to conduct operations across Diamer district. Though GB government is reluctant to opt for a military operation against the miscreants, the administration, led by the chief secretary, is in favour of a military operation.