Security tightened amid terror alert

TTP terrorists among 17 tasked with carrying out attacks in key cities

RAWALPINDI:

Security forces across major cities in Pakistan have been placed on high alert following intelligence reports of potential terrorist activities orchestrated by banned groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Secret agencies have issued a warning about the imminent arrival of 17 suicide bombers in the country, prompting the authorities to tighten security measures nationwide.

Over 17 terrorists from different groups have been tasked with carrying out attacks in key cities. Police and law enforcement agencies have been directed to enhance security measures in response to the looming threat.

In a communication titled "Special and Specific Information Report regarding Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Mianwali, DG [Dera Ghazi] Khan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan", Rawalpindi RPO Syed Khurram Ali instructed the garrison city’s CPO Khalid Hamdani and district police chiefs to boost security in their respective regions.

According to the report, the TTP's top leadership held a meeting in Kabul, outlining plans for terrorist activities in Pakistan in January.

The targeted areas include the merged tribal districts and Tank in K-P; Rawalpindi and Dera Ismail Khan in Punjab, the federal capital; and Balochistan’s Quetta, Chaman, Pishin among other places.

The TTP allegedly secured funds from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan and suicide bombers are reportedly at their disposal for carrying out the attacks.

One group, led by Commander Salman alias Siddique, has been dispatched with night vision glasses, grenades, and rocket launchers. It is hiding in Zangli, Badaber area of K-P.

The facilitators of this group are reportedly in Matni and Azakhel areas of the province.

Also read: Seven terrorists killed in Zhob IBO

Another group is said to be present in Peshawar's Hassan Khel area, with potential plans to conduct attacks in Mianwali and Attock districts of Punjab, Dera Ghazi Khan and the bordering areas of Peshawar in K-P.

The Dawood Batani group, affiliated with the banned TTP, is reportedly active in Dera Ismail Khan, planning to target officers of the law enforcement agencies in the border districts of Punjab.

Two commanders, Mashal and Ahmed Baloch, have been assigned and activated for this purpose.
Additionally, a separate intelligence report suggests that Baloch sub-nationalists are planning to target the residents, police, and other law enforcement agencies in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

A meeting of the Baloch sub-nationalists took place in Afghanistan, where five fighters were allegedly assigned specific targets.

There are also reports of a propaganda campaign against state institutions by Baloch sub-nationalists with the alleged support of intelligence agencies from hostile countries, particularly India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

According to a report carried by a Chinese daily Global Times, there are "solid bits of evidence" proving that India supports terrorist forces in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, providing them with money, weapons, and training.

Also read: ‘Volatile region faces heightened risk of chaos’

 

Sources close to the matter informed Global Times that India had secretly funded terrorist forces in Balochistan, inciting local secessionists to undermine regional stability through attacks.

Through looking into historical materials and related news reports from both countries as well as speaking with sources and observers who are familiar with the situation in Balochistan, the Global Times found that India had a long history of backing terrorism in Pakistan.

In December 2023, Sarfraz Ahmed Bungulzai, a commander of the Baloch National Army separatist militant group, who had surrendered himself to the Pakistani government, disclosed that India had been secretly supporting terrorist activities in Balochistan and financing separatist forces in the region.

In March 2016, Pakistan's Inter Services Public Relations released a confessional video statement of an Indian spy agent named Kulbhushan Yadav, who was reportedly arrested red-handed earlier that month while attempting to infiltrate Pakistan from the border area of Balochistan.

According to Ye Hailin, the deputy director of the National Institute of International Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, India employs a consistent double standard toward terrorism.

The report further mentioned that India had sought to tarnish Pakistan's image globally by leveling serious allegations of terrorism, aiming to deter investments and striving to include the country in the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) blacklist.

(With input from our News Desk in Karachi)