Says no one can defeat the nation because of the paramilitary force. PHOTO: ONLINE
The Balochistan Levies is the only force protecting 85% of the province, said Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch on Friday.
Addressing a passing-out ceremony in Quetta of a batch of 150 Levies personnel who completed counterterrorism training, CM Malik said their display of modern training skills proved that the Levies can counter all kinds of attacks. “The people of Balochistan are deemed genetically brave.”
He applauded the Levies’ efforts to restore peace in Khuzdar, “The way they performed in Khuzdar, we are optimistic that as long as we have our brave force, no one can defeat the nation.”
General Commanding Officer Maj Gen Aftab said: “I have trained many recruits in this ground, but today’s performance was amazing and significant.”
Since the launch of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, police, intelligence agencies and Levies force have wiped out extremism from the province, he added.
Meanwhile, Levies Director General Capt (retd) Tariq Zehri said the paramilitary force has improved enough so that they have the ability to face any untoward situation.
“The government is working to further build the capacity of the Levies because much of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor passes through the Levies’ area,” he told The Express Tribune, adding that they will assist other forces deployed for the route’s security. He said the army has trained the Levies force to face any eventuality, adding that if any shortcomings still exist, they will be removed.
“The Levies force will not receive any dictates from anyone because it has its own task to restore order in the Levies-controlled areas.” DG Zehri said the current strength of the Levies force is more than 17,000, and by 2018 it will be increased up to 24,000.
He said the personnel who had handed over their weapons to the terrorists in an act of cowardice had been dismissed from service. “To enhance the capacity of the Levies, a training school will be established in Quetta. A decision to this effect has been taken in principle.”
Militant gunned down
A militant was killed and five others were arrested in a search operation in Khuzdar district. A spokesman for the FC said the paramilitary force raided the Nal and Garisha areas of the district on a tip-off. Five automatic weapons were also seized.
Meanwhile, law enforcers seized a large quantity of weapons and drugs in Mastung’s Kirdgab area and Killa Abdullah’s Gulistan locality.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 19th, 2015.
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