The military has denied mounting any operation in the restive Balochistan province.
“There is no military operation in any part of Balochistan and not a single soldier is out of the barracks,” Maj Gen Ishfaq Ahmed Nadeem, the director general military operation (DGMO) said on Tuesday.
Addressing a two-day national workshop at the National Defence University in Islamabad, he rebuffed as propaganda claims that a military operation was under way in Balochistan.
“I want to make it clear that there is no military operation in Balochistan and this is a wrong perception being created through well-organised propaganda which should be countered,” Maj Gen Nadeem said.
About the establishment of garrisons in various parts of the province, especially in Sui and Kohlu, he made it clear that the army has no plans to establish new cantonments as per the decision of the provincial government.
He said public support is crucial for any army and the “army is nothing without the support of the people.” Speaking about a solution to the Balochistan issue, Maj Gen Nadeem said the “army wants a political solution to the issue” and only dialogue and debate could pave the way for such a solution.
About the role of Frontier Corps (FC), he said the paramilitary force always followed the direction of the provincial government and made it clear that the FC was not involved in the missing persons issue.
“Majority of the names on the missing persons’ list are in Farari camps, some of them have been jailed in Afghanistan due to their criminal activities and some others are also reportedly in Afghanistan,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 18th, 2012.
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