University lecturer among four terrorists linked to BYC arrested in B’tan: CTD

QUETTA: The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) has arrested four terrorists, including a former university lecturer, during separate operations in Balochistan, officials said on Thursday.

The details were shared by CTD Balochistan DIG CTD Balochistan Aetzaz Ahmed Goraya while addressing a joint press conference with Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Balochistan Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat.

According to officials, all four arrested suspects have strong links with the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), raising serious concerns over the organisation’s involvement in terrorist activities in the province.

Additional Chief Secretary Hamza Shafqaat said that more than 730 counter-terrorism operations were conducted across Balochistan last year. He added that the provincial government has established a new counter-terrorism institution to further strengthen security, with branches being set up in every district.

He noted that police writ is established across the province and terrorist incidents have significantly declined over the past three months.

DIG CTD Aetzaz Goraya said a major operation was carried out in Panjgur, during which a key terrorist, Sajid Ahmed, was arrested. He revealed that Sajid was transporting a large quantity of weapons from Panjgur to Turbat when he was arrested.

Officials said Sajid Ahmed was a graduate of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), had been teaching at the University of Turbat. He was also found to be actively involved in spreading propaganda and material of proscribed organisations on social media, the DIG added.

CTD officials further said that Sajid Ahmed’s sister-in-law is an active worker of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC).

The DIG said CTD arrested three more terrorists in separate operations, including 18-year-old Sarfaraz (resident of Kharan), Jahanzaib Mehrban, who is an activist of Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC) Brohi, and another suspect identified as Bezal.

Cases have been registered against the arrested suspects, and further investigations are underway to bust their network, facilitators.

Speaking on the occasion, the Additional Chief Secretary Home said that police writ exists across the province and institutional branches are being established in every district to eliminate terrorism.

He added that there has been a significant decline in terrorist incidents over the past three months.