Quetta, Loralai worst-hit by terror attacks in 2019

21 people, including 10 cops, killed in Loralai

QUETTA: At least 21 people, including ten policemen, have been martyred in Balochistan's Loralai district in various terrorist attacks that took place this year in the north-eastern town, located 260km away from the provincial capital.

“This year began with terrorist attacks in Loralai – including targeted killings and suicide attacks. Twenty-one (21) people including 10 law enforcing agencies (LEAs) officials and 11 citizens were killed in these attacks,” said Balochistan Inspector General Police (IGP) Mohsin Hassan Butt.

“After Quetta, Loralai is the second biggest target of the terrorists,” he added.

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Butt was talking to reporters on Sunday after offering condolences to heirs of a martyred official Ghulam Muhammad, who laid his life down a few days ago while foiling a suicide attack in Loralai and a Levies official, Rafi Ullah, who was killed by unknown armed men in Muslim Bagh.

He said in this perilous situation, police are playing a significant role to protect the lives of the public and eliminate elements of terror. “Soon another police station will be established in the town,” he added.

Butt said a summary has been forwarded to the provincial government to equalize Shuhda package for martyred policemen of Balochistan with that of other provinces.

He lauded the performance of the LEAs and said a strategy has been made to end unrest in the town and restore peace there. “For protecting precious lives of people, a platoon of Balochistan Constabulary is being deployed in the district,” he said.

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He said around 42 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed in Loralai.

“These CCTVs are converted to solar energy to ensure better security 24/7. With the help of people, our endeavour to curb the terrorism plots would bear fruit,” he said.

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Aitzaz Ahmed, Loralai DIG Jawad Tariq Minhas, Frontier Corps (FC) Commandant Sharyar, Additional Commissioner Muhammad Ayoub Kakar and other officers were also present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2019.