‘Fresh threats’: Lawmaker demands deployment of army on two border areas

Intelligence reports say that militants from Afghanistan might infiltrate Darkut Pass and Korumbar Pass.

ISLAMABAD:

A lawmaker of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly demanded on Friday that army be deployed at two important border areas of Ghizer district.

The demand came after intelligence reports that militants from neighbouring Afghanistan could attack passengers on Shandur Road, which connects Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) with Chitral.

Muhammad Ayub Shah, who was elected from Ghizer, said, “We demand that the federal government deploy army at Darkut Pass and Korumbar Pass as there is possibility of infiltration of militants from some provinces of Afghanistan.”

He said that people had only recently started using the road to travel again. An attack on Shia passengers by militants in August had sent fear waves across the region, with people opting not to travel by roads unless absolutely necessary.

The fresh intelligence reports have again raised concerns, with the Interior Ministry warning the Gilgit-Baltistan government to protect buses on the route.

During the Afghan war, Pakistan Army used to be deployed in these areas to avoid any attack by the Russian forces from Afghanistan. These forces were withdrawn after the disintegration of the USSR, Shah said.

“The situation again demands permanent presence of forces there, as militants from borders in Chitral and Dir have attacked civilians and [they might come again in future],” added Shah.

He stated that a mere warning by the interior ministry is not sufficient, but effective security measures need to be taken. He added that the federal government is authorised to deploy army in these sensitive areas, keeping in view the regional situation.

A senior officer of G-B, asking not to be named, said that they were informed by the ministry about the intelligence report.

“We have stepped up the security to check the infiltration of external elements and have increased the police deployment in different areas,” the officer said. The G-B administration has also beefed up security accompanying the passenger buses, the official added.

Superintendent Police Farman Ali said they have no intelligence reports that militants from Afghanistan might try to enter Pakistan. However, he added, alerts are being circulated regularly for security measures. “We have strengthened security for the passengers on the Shandur Road and no van is dispatched without proper security,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2012.