Militants raising funds from kidnappings: FC

IG of FC declares Quetta, Dera Bugti, Sibi and Turbat as increasingly volatile.

QUETTA:

Inspector General Frontier Corps Major General Ubaidullah Khan Khattak has said that incidents of kidnappings have increased in Balochistan at an alarming level and have become a source of generating funds for militants.

Addressing the media at the FC headquarters on Thursday, Khattak said that while Balochistan has witnessed a decline in rocket attacks and bomb blasts – particularly targeting gas pipelines, power pylons and railway tracks – incidents of kidnappings for ransom have increased.

“Militants, whether Taliban or Baloch, are using kidnappings to generate funds. They target foreigners with the intention to get ransom money in dollars,” he said, adding that people from Waziristan entered Balochistan and kidnapped BRSP workers and others.

However, he added that the kidnappers of ICRC’s British official are “not currently in Balochistan”.

Responding to a query, Khattak said there are no links between Taliban and Baloch rebels.

The IG declared Quetta, Dera Bugti, Sibi and Turbat as volatile regions, where violence and attacks have increased.

“The FC observed a rise in incidents in these four districts, while Kohlu is stable. Security forces managed to retain peace in Nasirabad and Panjgur, where concerns were raised after several attacks,” he said.

Commenting on the recent deadly ambush on Frontier Corps in Turbat and Behlol, near Kohlu district, Khattak said Dr Allah Nizar’s organisation was behind the Turbat attack and while the defunct Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) was responsible for the other attack.

Baloch youth urge to drop weapons

Khattak urged the Baloch youth to drop their weapons and join hands for peace. “I have complete sympathies with the Baloch youth who are being used as a tool. This country belongs to them as well and it is up to them what they choose. But I shall make one thing clear – the security forces will not compromise over disrupting peace and the troops will not be weakened,” he said.

“I have told the FC commandants to provide complete protection to those Baloch youth who want to lay down their weapons. Their families will also be provided protection,” he added.

Foreign elements in Balochistan

Responding to a question about an alleged operation in Behlol and adjacent areas and mass killings of innocent Marri tribesmen, the IG categorically denied that any operation was going on.

“A group of armed men belonging to the BLA once again tried to ambush FC men, and the FC then returned fire killing 10 to 12 militants,” he said.

Khattak further said that foreign elements were involved in destabilising Balochistan in order to advance in their vested interest.

“Foreign groups are providing financial support, equipment, training and advice to militants in Balochistan. The foreign interest is comparatively increasing in this particular region,” he said, without mentioning the name of any country.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2012.