The Quick Response Force will remain on alert round-the-clock. PHOTO: EXPRESS
During a ceremony at Shahkas in Jamrud, Khyber Agency, FC officials told Peshawar Corps Commander Lieutenant General Hidayatur Rahman that the force has 40 to 50 motorcyclists. They will remain on alert round-the-clock, he added. Each team will have two riders.
According to FC officials, the first batch of the Quick Response Force started its assignment on Thursday. The basic responsibility of the force will be to combat acts of terrorism, but they will also assist armed forces with the aim of ensuring their convoys reach their destination on time. In addition to modern telecommunication, riders are also armed with sophisticated automatic weapons.
Blaze
The ceremony was arranged by FC to destroy a huge quantity of narcotics seized during military actions Khyber-I and Khyber-II.
Besides the Peshawar Corps Commander, the ceremony was attended by FC Inspector General Major General Tayyab Azam, Khyber Agency Political Agent Syed Shahab Ali Shah and other high-ranking officials.
The Peshawar Corps commander was informed that in 2014, FC troops succeeded in seizing a huge quantity of narcotics valued at over $1.8 billion in the international market. The drugs included 72,716 kilogrammes of hashish, 117.7 kilogrammes of heroin and 389.5 kilogrammes of opium.
He was told 20 tonnes of narcotics was seized in 2013, but the quantity increased during the military action in 2014. Seized narcotics were later set ablaze. Lt General Hidayatur Rahman appreciated the efforts of the FC to seize such a large quantity of drugs. He also appreciated the force’s role in making Khyber-I and II successful.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 24th, 2015.
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