File photo of Frontier Corps personnel. PHOTO: ONLINE
Inspector General Frontier Corps (IGFC) Balochistan Major General Mohammad Ejaz Shahid said on Friday that 60 to 70 Farari camps, or insurgent camps, were operating in the province. However, he added that it was difficult to crack down on these camps because they keep changing location according to the weather.
Speaking at a media briefing at the FC Madadgar Centre, Maj Gen Shahid said that the paramilitary force lacked resources to police the whole province that makes up 44% of the country’s total landmass.
However, he added that “if the local population cooperates, peace can be restored in no time”. He cited the examples of Makran and Panjgur among other districts where the local population was cooperating with the security forces.
He lamented that despite the Supreme Court ban, the media was publishing statements of the proscribed organisations claiming attacks on the security forces.
Responding to a question, Maj Gen Shahid said that earlier there was 6% quota in the FC for the Baloch youth that has been enhanced to 15% and within next 15 years it would be raised to 50%. The FC has also set up schools in the far-flung areas of the province which are out of reach of the education department.
On the occasion, Lt Col Chaudhry Zafar Iqbal said that the FC raided an empty house in the Toba Achakzai area of Qilla Abdullah and seized a huge quantity of explosives. No arrest was made, though. Besides 1.5 tons of explosives, the FC seized 1,320 anti-personnel mines, 500 anti-tank mines, 200 IEDs, 150 prima cards, 17 bundles of wire, 21 remote controls, and nine time bombs.
The IGFC said the explosives and weapons were transported from neighbouring countries for sabotage activities in Balochistan.
Separately, during a search operation in Kili Janu of Gulistan area, the security forces detained two miscreants and recovered two light machine guns, 42 hand grenades, 21 SMGs, one shot gun, and two motorcycles.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2014.
COMMENTS (8)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1714024018-0/ModiLara-(1)1714024018-0-270x192.webp)
@Baloch: The Baloch People struggled for the independence of this country, they are loyal Pakistanis; misguided by peoples who are looting their rights. They knew nothing could be obtained but destruction to this beautiful part of Pakistan. Baloch's are our Pakistani Brothers they love to be Pakistani. We Pushtons are Proud Pakistanis of Baluchistan and making a big part of Baluchistan i.e>40%. I would request to my those Baluch Brothers Who are not happy with the attitude of Islamabad, this country belongs to us (Baluchistan, KPK, Punjab, Sind, AJK,FATA, GB) every citizen has the full rights on this country, it does not mean that we stand against the state. time is still in our hands do not choose the wrong way, this country also belongs to you show your strengths in developing this Country. To oppose the State is a Sin in front of Allah,
Then they are more trained, startegists,and vigilant. What are security forces doing if thay are unable to locate them?
Ferrari camps are not shifting their location on daily basis like weather....bull s......if there is will there is a way....
A comprehensive and well define counter militancy is need of the hour. Use of UAV for ferrari camps location and a well trained rapid respond force to take action on info. On diplomatic front try to pressurized countries who harbour these so called militias leaders. Blackout of these group from media is not going to work.
The dangerous duffers have never learnt from history and their own repeated mistakes. The more you suppress and brutalise people the more resilient they get.
Why should the local population support the organization which kidnaps, kills and dumps its people?
Gradually get majority of the security forces out of the Balochistan, keep a handful in sensitive areas and limit their operations. Bring back the missing persons and give an apology to the families for abducting, torturing and killing their loved ones. In this way there might a way that Balochistan will make peace with Pakistan, otherwise it doesn't look like it. I am not saying we will get our independence anytime soon but anyways in this way Balochistan seems a liability for Pakistan and otherway around. Either go for the first choice which is rather hard or grant a peaceful separation.
So what do you suggest they do instead?