Punjab moves to ban two militant groups, affiliates

LAHORE: Punjab Cabinet’s Standing Committee on Law and Order has approved banning of Majeed Brigade, Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group and their affiliated groups for involvement in terrorism and promoting militancy.

According to the documents available with “Jang”, IG Punjab placed the reference sent by Additional IG CDT on the agenda of the meeting of Cabinet Standing Committee on Law and Order. It said Majeed Brigade is a major threat to regional security and is promoting militancy which is detrimental to law and order situation in the country. The terrorist activities carried out by this organisation are a serious threat to the writ of the state, it said.

The reference also said Majeed Brigade is directly responsible for recruitment, training and execution of suicide blasts. Majeed Brigade, which is involved in several terrorist attacks in Pakistan, is equipped with advanced weapons such as Improvised explosive devices (IEDs), anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, rocket propelled grenades, M4 and BM-12 modern rifles, including 107 and 109mm rockets, the Committee told.

In another reference, the Standing Committee was told Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group is a militant organisation with its roots in tribal areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. In 2000, the Group intensified its activities by opposing the operation launched by Pakistani government in the tribal areas, it said.

The objectives of Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group are to implement Islamic law in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Group aims at uniting all militant groups under the banner of one leadership, the reference said.

There are several hundred fighters of this group in the tribal areas of Pakistan, especially in North Waziristan, the Committee told.