DIG claims ‘target killer’ who murdered Hazara men met his fate

Says the killer belonged to Manghopir area of Karachi and was involved in stoking sectarian violence in Quetta

QUETTA: The law enforcement agencies (LEAs) on Monday claimed to have killed a hard-core target killer involved in sectarian killings during an operation near Mastung.

This was stated by Quetta DIG Abdul Razzaq Cheema and Commander Ghazaband Scouts Brigadier Tasawur Sattar while addressing a joint press conference.

DI Cheema said, “Police and LEAs conducted a search operation in Splinji and Kabu areas of Mastung on April 28. Terrorists hiding in their camps opened fire on security forces using sophisticated weapons. Upon retaliation, a hard-core terrorist Maqsood Ahmed, hailing from Manghopir area of Karachi, was killed while a Frontier Corps soldier sustained injuries in the operation.”

The DIG also showed pictures of the terrorist.
Following burgeoning terrorism activities in Quetta, terrorists were re-activating their training camps in the area, but timely action by the security forces stopped their nefarious plans from taking a practical shape.
“A huge cache of arms and ammunition was also seized from the site, which indicated that there might be six to seven terrorists hiding there,” said Cheema, adding that Maqsood was involved in target killings of the Hazara community to stoke sectarian unrest in Quetta.
To a query regarding recent targeted killings of the Hazara community members and Christians in Quetta, Cheema said, “Police and LEAs are taking all necessary measures to protect the citizens as extra force has been deployed in three more spots identified by Hazara elders.”


He said, “We have decided to deploy 200 Elite Force personnel trained by the Pakistan Army on immediate basis to beef up the security of Quetta.”

He said that the force on motorbikes would start patrolling the city from today.
He urged the business community to play their role in apprehending the terrorists and said that terrorism could not be purged from the province without their support.

“We have requested the business community many times to install CCTV cameras on their business spots to help forces arrest terrorists targeting citizens,” the DIG added.
He said that intelligence based operations were being conducted across Balochistan during which police and other LEAs had given immense sacrifices to protect the lives and properties of the people.