Balochistan minister cites alleged financial links to groups — Dawn
Pakistan’s Balochistan Interior Minister Ziaullah Langove said intelligence agencies had obtained evidence of alleged financial links between certain individuals and banned terrorist groups. He made the remarks during a roundtable in Quetta, Dawn reports.
Langove called for stronger cooperation between state institutions and civil society to counter security threats and address the province’s problems. According to him, certain representatives of the authorities, political groups and non-governmental organizations may have facilitated militants’ activities.
Claims of militant financing
The minister claims that armed groups raised funds by extorting money from traders, farmers and commercial carriers. He named highway robberies, banditry and ransom demands among other sources of funding.
Langove also said that two members of the Hazara community were released after a ransom of 7 million Pakistani rupees was paid.
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Security forces operations
Earlier, Pakistan’s state radio, citing sources, reported that security forces killed seven militants during two intelligence-based operations in Balochistan. Five of them, according to the report, were killed in the Fateh Ali area of Panjgur district. A large quantity of weapons and ammunition was also found there.
Another operation was conducted in the Dhadar area of Kachhi district, where, according to the state broadcaster, two militants were killed. Several other members of armed groups were also reported wounded.
Roundtable participants discussed the security situation, coordination between institutions, social development and public welfare. They emphasized the need for closer cooperation among government departments, development organizations and civil society.
