Zarb-e-Azb may extend to Balochistan to fight insurgents: sources

PM, army chief meet to discuss law and order situation of Balochistan

QUETTA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met Army chief General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday to discuss national security and the law and order situation of Quetta, Express News reported.

Sources privy to the development told The Express Tribune that Operation Zarb-e-Azb might be expanded to Balochistan to fight against Baloch insurgents as well.

The army launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb against militants in North Waziristan in June 2014.

“COAS and PM apart from this issue also discussed visiting top level delegation led by Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif in Saudi Arabia,” the sources further added.

During his visit, the army chief presided over a law and order meeting at the Frontier Crops Balochistan Headquarters office.

The meeting came days after a sickening orgy of bloodshed played out in a remote town of southern Balochistan on April 11 when 20 construction workers were methodically massacred in a predawn attack on their camp near Turbat city in Kech district of Balochistan.

Read: ‘Outsiders’ targeted: Orgy of bloodshed let loose in Turbat

Inspector General Frontier Crops (IGFC) Sher Afghan, Balcohistan home secretary, IG Police and other high officials are present during the meeting.

Further, briefing on the army chief's visit DG ISPR Asim Bajwa tweeted:

#COAS:Visits Qta;meets Governor,CM,Comd Southern Comd,visits FC http://t.co/NukNtf6lVT security situation,progress of FC op vs terrorists1/6

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) April 15, 2015

..Expressed grief on brutal killing f poor,innocent laborers by terrorists in Turbat,vowed to support Bln Govt to eliminate them totally-2/6

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) April 15, 2015

#COAS warned foreign states,int agencies against trying todestabilize Pak by supporting terrorists in Bln.Will defeat 'em comprehensively3/6

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) April 15, 2015

#COAS commended LEAs,FC 4 noticeable law,order improvement.Vowed to stand by people f Bln 2 bring peace,prosperity.FWO 2 continue Dev projs4

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) April 15, 2015

"Will unearth Terrorists,abettors,sympathizers,financiers.None will find place in country to hide.Will go to any length 4 writ of state"-5/6

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) April 15, 2015

Highlighting security challenges of vast Bln,#COAS emphasized need to adopt integrated apch by civ,mil Ldrship,LEAs for peaceful Bln-6/6

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) April 15, 2015

Major-General Sher Afghan briefed the army chief regarding the law and order situation in the province and search operations being carried out in Turbat and its outskirts.

Upon arrival, the army chief was received by Commander of Southern Command Lt General Nasir Khan Janjua.

Acting on a tip-off, the Frontier Corps on April 13 shot dead at least 13 suspected militants, including assailants accused of killing 20 labourers in Turbat.

Read: 13 suspected militants killed, including those involved in Turbat massacre

“Security forces with the help of secret agencies have launched the massive search operation in and around Turbat,” spokesperson for FC Balochistan told The Express Tribune.