Islamabad. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday claimed that terrorists involved in the recent deadly attacks in the restive south-western Balochistan province had foreign backing. At least nine soldiers and 20 militants were killed in clashes and the resulting operation following attacks by Baloch insurgents in Naushki and Panjgur areas of the province last week. The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attacks. The separatist organization has recently intensified attacks on security forces and installations.
Security forces had claimed that during the conflict they had intercepted talks between terrorists and their handlers in Afghanistan and India. In the past, the Indian Foreign Ministry has dismissed allegations of India’s involvement in some terror attacks in Pakistan, saying the so-called claims of “evidence” are a figment of their imagination.
Prime Minister Imran Khan along with Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday visited Naushki, where four soldiers, including an officer, were killed in the attack. Addressing the soldiers, Khan said, “Terrorist attacks in Balochistan involve foreign funding, but those who spread anarchy will get nothing from it.”
“We hope that these terrorists will never succeed in Pakistan,” he said. Khan also announced a 15 per cent hike in the salaries of paramilitary personnel of the Frontier Corps and Rangers, which are at the forefront of fighting insurgency and maintaining law and order in Balochistan and neighboring Sindh province. He also said that the Government of Pakistan is running projects for the development of Balochistan.
He said the second phase of the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project focuses on industrialization and promoting technology, which will directly benefit Balochistan. In a separate statement, the Pakistan Army said General Bajwa spent the day with the soldiers and also met the soldiers who foiled the attack on February 2. He was also briefed about the security situation in the area as well as the operational preparedness of the troops. (agency)