Travel curbs: Restrictions on Chinese engineers’ movement
Following threats from terrorists, movement of Chinese nationals has been restricted in Gilgit-Baltistan.
“Free movement of Chinese nationals has been restricted for their own security,” Sadia Danish, Gilgit-Baltistan‘s Information Minister told reporters.
The decision comes after terrorists issued threats to attack Chinese engineers working on different development projects in the region.
In a letter, the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) had asked the G-B government to beef up security around projects which engaged Chinese engineers as terrorists planned to attack them.
The letter said that in a meeting recently held in Afghanistan, terrorists have decided to carry out attacks targeting Chinese engineers working on development projects in the region.
“They [Chinese] will be required to seek permission prior to leaving any place. They would be provided security and clearance,” the regional information minister said.
The information minister said the military operation in Chilas forests – Muspar Forests – was launched to wipe out terrorists from the area who were backed by the locals. The local population isn’t affected by the military action, she said, adding that gunship helicopters didn’t pound but only hit targets.
She hinted at launching action against policemen who were assisting terrorists in Darel valley before taking away arms and ammunition.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 10th, 2014.
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