Taliban in Balochistan: Provincial police chief rejects reports of Quetta Shura

Says religious seminaries cooperating with police to eradicate terrorism.

QUETTA:

Amid media reports that Mullah Omar is hiding in Balochistan, the acting Inspector-General of Police Balochistan Ghalib Bandisha ruled out the existence of the Quetta Shura in the provincial capital and said the media should investigate before publishing such reports.

Speaking at the Police Training College in Quetta on Monday, Bandisha said that if the media has any evidence or information about the presence of Quetta Shura in the city then it must provide it to the police and action will be taken.

The Quetta Shura, which is reportedly composed of top militants of the Afghan Taliban, has Mullah Omar in the senior leadership.

It was recently reported that US and Pakistani intelligence agencies are on a hunt for Osama bin Laden’s ally Mullah Omar in Quetta after the successful raid on Bin Laden’s hideout in Abbottabad.

The reports also quoted a senior Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) official confirming to have planned a ‘major military action in Quetta’.

Omar has a reward of $25 million on his head and is sheltered by heavily-armed fighters in Quetta near the Afghan border, the reports stated.

“Religious seminaries are also cooperating with the police to eradicate terrorism. If the media has any information about seminaries that are imparting training to terrorists, they should share it with the police,” he added.

He said the media has been highlighting the presence of the Taliban council, but there is no evidence behind these claims. On a sectarian attack in Hazara Town which claimed six lives, the IG said investigations are under way and the police are not bound to reveal anything until investigations conclude. “Professional responsibilities of the police oblige them not to disclose anything until culprits are brought to justice,” he said, adding that police are making all-out efforts to curb terrorism, incidents of targeted killings and kidnapping for ransom.

He said the system of community police has been initiated, which will be helpful in maintaining public order with cooperation from the public.

Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Muhammad Aslam Khan Raisani was the chief guest at the third passing-out parade where more than 300 personnel graduated.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2011.