Sectarian killings: 50 suspects held in Quetta search operation
Around 50 suspects were detained in connection with sectarian killings during a search operation in different parts of Saryab locality here on Tuesday.
Frontier Corps (FC), police and personnel of Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF) took part in the operation. Helicopters aided troops engaged in house to house search in Killi Kamalo and Killi Qambarni area of Saryab.
The search operation was mounted in some areas after a decision was taken at a high level meeting of police, FC and other law enforcement agencies regarding the rise in sectarian killings in the province.
“Officials have decided to launch search operations in some localities of Quetta where suspects involved in sectarian terrorism had taken shelter,” a senior official said.
As many as 18 people were killed in two separate episodes of sectarian killings on July 29 and August 1. The outlawed Lashkar-i-Jhangvi claimed responsibility for both the attacks.
Official said, the search operation will continue for a few more days. Police have rounded up more than 200 suspects during the past three days. “Those who had no affiliation with these killings are being released after interrogation,” sources said.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 3rd, 2011.
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Search operations and arrests ......... as usal out of 50 none of them would be the real culprit becuase there is lack of will to round-up the real culprit, as Intel agencies are well aware of these elements where they hide, how they operate and who are their financers. These ops are useless because even if some real culprit is caught "accidentally" he would be released eventually by the courts on the basis of lake of evidence. The law and punishment is meant only for law abiding citizens not for out-laws in Pakistan. The murderer of 100's of people is set free to go and hunt down some more innocent lives and earn heaven not only for himself but for his whole family and friends ..... what a shame. And shame to all those politicians as well who are eager to make a pose with these outlaws for political gain and for the next day's daily just to show that he is also one of them so don't go after him, cowards.
@Dr. Saleem Siddiqi: For a learned person like you, the simplicity and naivety of your line of thinking is simply astounding. If you lived in Middle East, you must know that even Khutba for Juma prayers is printed and distributed by Govt and no one is allowed to deviate. Are you advocating that level of Govt control and oversight on all matters concerned with Mosque / Madressa? If so GOD bless you and there does not remain anything to discuss.
@Asif Raza: Thanks for your re-joinder. However, I want to make a correction to your statement. Haveing lived over 15 years in Middle Eastern Countries including Saudi Arabia, I have found that Islamic and Quranic studies is COMPULSORY in their Arabic Schools. This education is very thorough and each student not only learn Quran by Naazra but with its complete meaning Hadiths. In other words, when a pupil finishes its school, they are not only thoroughly competent in Islamic studies but are fully aware of how and why Quran was revealed as a guidance for us.
We actually need this kind of Islamic education at grass root level in Pakistan and if Government shall make this sort of primary Islamic education compulsory, most of the menace will end. Madressas should only be only for higher studies and research in Quranic studies with Syllabus to be approved by the Government.
Regards
Dr. Saleem Siddiqi Johannesburg - South Africa.
@shazada Malik-Loan: { it is the (secular) Westernised-political elite that is using the Maulvis as a cover to keep hold on power and suppress the wishes of the people}
What exactly do you mean by that and how does it relate to the topic of sectarian killings. Unless you mean the Westernized Elite is creating these monsters and blaming the Maulvis. Pretty weird thinking to say the least.
I think you are the one displaying complete lack of understanding by making such a generalized and sweeping statement. It takes only a minuscule minority of Mualvis to create havoc in the society. The majority is indirectly responsible for staying silent and not standing up to them. Maybe they are afraid of the fate that befell Maulana Sakhi Jan of Peshawar and Mufti Naeemi of Lahore.
@ishtiaer hussain: Why you are spreading such an unfounded rumors which has no proof. If any country or countries are helping your students of Pakistan to learn and educate especially Quranic studies in Madressas we must be thankful to those countries and not critical. These country do not prescribe the syllabus for the Madressas. It is our Maulvis who do it. If you want to be critical, it is local Moulvis who should be blamed for putting their ideas to spread hatred.
I remember Musharaf had started an audit and official Registration of all Pakistan Madressas of all School of thoughts especially their Syllabus and other criteria and amended where necessary. Musharaf also included other subjects such as Computer, English, Maths etc. so that after they are educated, they must be in the mainstream and become a productive for the nation. Many Moulvis were against this move, but he was firm and implemented this idea to curb spreading hatred.
It looks like, PPP has done away with this strict navigation of Madressas which in my opinion should be an ongoing project for the betterment of students and nation at large.
Regards
Dr. Saleem Siddiqi Johannesburg - South Africa
@First drink, don't think: Please rise above sectarian differences and be man enough to accept the realities. Condemning LJ and their likes cannot by any stretch of imagination be termed as Anti Sunnism. You dont have to defend them and act as an apologist. The brand of twisted / barbarian / extremely intolerant version of Islam propagated by them is a blot on great Sunni traditions and not to be found in any Islamic book written anywhere before 100 years.
@First drink, don't think:
What do Shia Hazaras of Quetta teach? Go kill Sunnis, Wahabis etc.? I found Hazaras of Quetta the best of friends.
Get your facts straight boyo.
@First drink, don’t think:
Please give us a recent example, or any example, of shias participating in terrorism... They are targeted the MOST by the terrorists.
The worst part of this story is that no one is trying to identify the problem and its reasons.
The sectarian violence is a routine, a part of life of Quetta, but like Balochistan issue, no one is bothered to take notice of it.
Anyone who has visited Quetta would agree with me that the city is highly volatile place to move around. Killing of Shias in Quetta is part of the larger problem of governance and law and order.
Its time to press government and Army to improve the situation in Balochistan and especially Quetta, otherwise the time will not come back. WE SHOULD NOT REPEAT BANGLADESH MISTAKES IN BALOCHISTAN.
@Jawad: Well said. There is not a single incident of mosque bombing or random shooting by the Shia militants. Being a minority sect is no bar on militant activities if you are determined enough. Just look at the havoc created by TTP.
@ScoobyDoo: For your kind information Lashkar-e-Jhangavi has accepted responsibility for most of the attacks. As for the motive they openly claim that Shias are Non Muslims and hence Wajib-ul-Qatal.
First drink, don't think: It was not you who spoke there. It was the deeply embedded hatred in you. You and your likes - the majority with permanent insecurity, try to conceal your guilt through baseless allegations. For instance, your saying that people came out on the streets. What do you mean? People don't even have the right to protest after dozens of their loved ones were butchered?
Then movements supported by Iran? If that was the case, you would not see the Shia minority getting cornered so ruthlessly for last 3 decades. Your last assertion was the poisonous teaching you have got all your life for which you're not entitled to be answered.
@First drink, don't think: Please tell me what Terrorist groups does The State of Iran support in Iran ? when was the last time a Shia group killed or bombed a sunni mosque or a police Station.Saudi funded Salafi groups bomb shias,sufi shrines and Sunni milad-e-nabi events. If Iran funds "terrorist" so what ? minority terrorism is manageable.but when KSA and UAE fund SSP and LeJ who are closely allied to Pak Taliban and Al Qaeda then that creates events like the PNS Mehran Attack . Shias teach their version of Islam, sunnis teach their version of Islam .Wahabis teach students to hate everyone and consider them Kaffir.
Well the story of Shias hatred against Sunnis is no different. I am a personal witness to what Shias teach their younger ones and specially Hazaras of Quetta. I was in Quetta during April 2004, when Hazaras of Quetta took on the streets after they had been attacked. Only difference is that Shias are in minority and if they come for a head on collision with Sunnis militants they stand no where. And if Saudis are supporting anti-Shia militants than on other hand Iran is also supporting such movements in Pakistan!!
Everything happens for a reason and sometime it's more important to address those reasons than the happenings!!
@abbas how can court convict you without evidence. If people of one sect are killed it does not provide enough ground to punish SSP or TNFJ etc. When will we be sensible enough to reject the picture painted by our enemies and say "we will believe anything after through investigation only".
We all should pray in this holy month that all the problems surrounding Pakistan should get settled with as less bloodshed as possible and good old days of peace should return in each and everyone's home around the Land of not only Pakistan but Muslim Ummah as well. Amen
And our beloved courts release the terrorists from SSP / LeJ, what a SHAME