Border issues: ‘Afghan nationals involved in target killing, kidnapping’

Home department directs officials to launch special campaign against culprits.

PESHAWAR: Intelligence officials informed a high-level meeting held on Tuesday at the home department that Afghan nationals were involved in extortion, kidnapping for ransom and target killings in the provincial capital.

Chaired by Secretary Home and Tribal Affairs Syed Akhtar Ali Shah, representatives of spy agencies told the Provincial Task Force (PTF) meeting that Afghan nationals, who have rented houses in urban areas, were involved in criminal activates, adding that spy agencies have set up a special cell to monitor such elements.

They also informed that Afghan SIMs, with roaming facilities in the tribal areas, are being used for extortion, target killings and kidnapping for ransom. Police officials said the situation in tribal areas also affected settled parts of the province, adding that criminals had joined militant groups and were carrying out terrorist activities in the provincial capital.

Police gave details on various criminal groups currently active in Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, DI Khan and Peshawar districts, read a statement issued from the home department.

The statement read that directions had been issued to relevant officials to launch a special campaign against criminals and proclaimed offenders. Police officials were also directed to raid cells being run by militants in urban areas.

It also directed that cases should be registered against those making inflammatory speeches and involved in inflammatory wall-chalking. The statement added that meaningful surveillance should be carried out against those placed under Schedule-IV of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 4^th, 2014.