Terror outfits, facilitators to face coordinated action

Joint Operations Coordination Committee decides to make integrated security mechanism fully operational at divisional, district levels in Punjab; CTD eliminates four terrorists in Jahanian; operations against Chotu Gang continues

LAHORE/KHANEWAL/BAHAWALPUR: The Joint Operations Coordination Committee (JOCC) on Saturday decided to vigorously undertake an across the board coordinated action against all terrorist outfits and their facilitators.

It expressed a firm determination to exterminate terrorism from the province through coordinated planning.

The JOCC took the decision during a meeting following an earlier meeting between Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and the Lahore corps commander held on April 5.

According to ISPR, the meeting was attended by senior civil and military officials. The forum agreed to revitalise the committee to carry out intelligence assessment, joint development of the security mosaic and direct all operations in Punjab.

It said a integrated security mechanism would be made fully operational so as to utilise it effectively at the divisional and district levels through cohesive coordination between the civil and military components.

The forum also decided appropriate force application according to the varying nature of targets. To that end, operations led by civil and military intelligence agencies will be launched by the army, Rangers, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and police as required followed by constant review and regulation by the JOCC.

Meanwhile, the CTD and police in a joint operation killed four terrorists in the early hours of Saturday.

The operation was carried out on tip-off near Lakhi Tibbi Adda in Jahanian as law enforcers foiled a terror bid.

According to official sources, the suspected terrorists, belonging to banned outfits, wanted to target sensitive installations in and around Multan.

As soon as the law enforcers encircled their hideout, the terrorists opened indiscriminate fire which was retaliated. One of them detonated his suicide jacket. The killed terrorists were identified as Hassan Majeed, Muhammad Anwar, Waqas Ahmad and Sar-ul-Kasmi. A rifle, two pistols and a large quantity of explosives was recovered from the scene.

Meanwhile, about three alleged militants took advantage of the darkness and managed to flee after which a search operation was launched in the area to arrest them.

On the other hand, Regional Police Officer Dr Ehsan Sadiq said 60 facilitators of the Chotu Gang and terrorists had so far been arrested during an operation.

Talking to newsmen in the riverine area of Rahim Yar Khan, he said police and other law enforcement agencies had set up 60 pickets in the area. He said the Chotu gang and terrorists had been confined to a 30km long island and the operation would continue till the elimination of all terrorists.

The island is home to various groups of terrorists and criminal elements. These gangs are from Sindh, Balochistan and southern Punjab.

Also on Saturday, the Punjab IGP vowed to continue the ongoing operation against the criminal gangs and terrorists till their elimination.

He visited the newly-established check posts and said announcements were being made in the area so that women and children could reach safer locations and criminals surrender to the police.

He said a decisive operation would be launched against the terrorists after taking precautionary measures, adding that all the agencies were cooperating with the police.

He also met police officials from DG Khan, Bahawalpur, Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan and issued necessary instructions.