Ministry issues second threat alert in two weeks

Warning comes in wake of terror attacks in Panjgur and Naukhki districts

ISLAMABAD:

The Ministry of Interior on Thursday issued another threat alert in the wake of recent terrorist attacks, directing the authorities concerned to ensure the “highest level of preparedness and extra vigilance” against the threats posed by “anti-state elements”.

In the wake of the recent terror attacks carried out by miscreants in Panjgur and Naushki districts of Balochistan, the second threat alert issued in less than two weeks stated: “Highest level of preparedness and extra vigilance may kindly be ensured by all provincial governments, intelligence and law enforcement agencies to thwart any nefarious designs of anti-state elements.”

The threat alert has been issued at a time when Prime Minister Imran Khan has departed for a four-day visit to China with a delegation of ministers accompanying him to seek investment and transfer of industries from China to Pakistan. Before departing, the prime minister lauded the country's armed forces for repulsing the terror attacks in Balochistan.

Last month, Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed had blamed foreign powers of committing terrorist activities, claiming that they wished to stop progress on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The minister had said, “However, the Pak-China friendship is standing tall against such tactics.”

On Thursday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement stated that at least 13 terrorists were killed by security forces in Balochistan's Panjgur and Naushki after separate attacks were successfully repulsed last night.

It said that four soldiers, including an officer, were martyred while repulsing the attack on Wednesday night. Earlier, on January 27, it was reported that 10 soldiers embraced martyrdom after terrorists attacked a security forces’ check post in Balochistan’s Kech district.

The latest threat alert has also lauded the alertness and bravery of the Frontier Corps Balochistan personnel, saying that they were instrumental in successfully repelling the two attacks carried out on February 2 by the miscreants who suffered heavy losses.

The letter issued in continuation of the ministry’s earlier letter issued on January 21 on the same subject stated that the bravery shown by them was lauded by the nation with the prime minister leading the way.

The previous notification of the ministry directing the authorities concerned to be ready for dealing with any untoward situation had come after an increase in terrorists’ attacks in the country ahead of opposition parties’ calls to take out rallies against the government in February and March.

On January 21, Rashid had admitted a spike in terror attacks in the country, saying smaller groups had become active and were attacking in different parts of the country “following Taliban’s success” against Indian intelligence agency and 42 foreign forces in Afghanistan.

The minister had added that the current wave of terrorism had increased about 35 to 38 per cent since August 15 – when Taliban fighters had entered Kabul– and that was why the ministry had issued a notification directing authorities concerned to exercise extreme vigilance