31 suspects rounded up from parts of Quetta: ISPR

Military’s media wing says raids were conducted to thwart terror threats against Independence Day celebrations

As many as 31 suspects, including illegal Afghan immigrants, were rounded up from parts of Quetta in various search operations carried out by law enforcers late Thursday night, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Friday.

According to the military’s media wing, Balochistan FC and police personnel conducted the raids to thwart potential terror “threats against Independence Day celebrations in Kuchlak, Kechi Shahwani, Saryab, Hazar Ganji, Nawan Killi and Faizabad areas of the provincial capital”.

The LEAs also recovered weapons including SMG and pistols and illegal vehicles from the possession of the suspects. Quetta is among the most volatile cities of Balochistan, with police personnel regularly targeted to foil efforts aimed at restoring law and order in the province.

Pakistan has been battling an insurgency since shortly after it decided to align itself with the US following its invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Violence has declined in recent years following a series of military offensives in the northwest border areas coupled with concerted efforts to block militants’ sources of funding.

But remnants from many militant groups are still able to carry out periodic bloody attacks, particularly in the northwest.