G-B govt decides to screen employees for terror links

IG Sanaullah Abbasi says police will launch operation against extremists

GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan government has decided to screen all government employees to identify if they have affiliations with extremist groups.

The disclosure was made by the regional police chief, Sanaullah Abbasi, on Friday while speaking to journalists at his office.

“The screening will be across the board and police force employees will also be screened,” said IG Abbasi without explaining what prompted the government to carry out the process.

“We want that officials perform their duties with utmost professionalism,” he added.

However, sources in the police force said the decision was taken after the arrest of four policemen for their alleged links with an extremist group operating in the region.



“We are interrogating them to find out if they have affiliation with any group,” said the official about the extremists who have bombed and burnt down a dozen girls schools in Diamer Valley of G-B.

In a shootout later on, the police shot dead a high-profile terrorist, Commander Khalil, and his accomplice in Gilgit after they attacked a police check-post.

In the latest development, the police arrested half a dozen seminary students allegedly planning to attack a girls school and college in Ghizer district of G-B.

Speaking about the purported operation against militants, IG Abbasi said it would be launched by the police while the army might come for assistance when and if required.

He said security measures would be undertaken to ensure peace during the upcoming Islamic month of Muharram.