Five suspects arrested in Ziarat, seize large cache of weapons

The Levies Force arrested five suspects in the Ziarat district, Balochistan, on Monday, through an intelligence-based operation. The suspects were taken into custody near the Spira Ragha Levies check post.

A senior official of the district administration stated that the operation was the result of the expertise of the Levies Force’s intelligence and field teams, with the support of the district administration.

A large cache of weapons, explosives, and communication devices was recovered from the suspects, including 11 hand grenades, 15 SMG grenades, 3 submachine guns (SMGs), 2 M4 rifles (in parts), 9 M4 magazines, 14 SMG magazines, 420 SMG rounds, 230 M4 rounds, 1 kg of explosive material, 1 grenade launcher, 2 RPG rockets, 6 wireless sets, 4 mobile phones, 1 dagger, 13 ammunition bags, 16 power cells, 1 Suzuki Carry van, 1 motorcycle, and literature of the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Read: Levies personnel protest merger with police

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti lauded the successful operation and congratulated the Levies Force and the district administration. He said that local forces like the Levies are the backbone of peace and stability in Balochistan, and their sacrifices and timely actions are thwarting terrorist ambitions.

The chief minister affirmed that the government stands fully behind all security agencies and that the fight against terrorism will continue until it's eliminated. Security sources stated that interrogations of the arrested suspect are ongoing, which are expected to reveal key information about further terrorist networks in the province.