ISLAMABAD: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti on Thursday strongly criticised the Afghan government for allegedly providing “state patronage” to terrorists operating from its soil, accusing Kabul of allowing militant groups to thrive in training camps and safe havens.
Speaking at a press conference in the federal capital, Bugti said militants involved in attacks on Pakistani soil often originated from across the border. “They receive state patronage there. Several Khawarij who were recently killed were Afghan citizens,” he alleged.
The chief minister called on the Afghan interim administration to abide by the Doha Agreement, in which it had pledged not to allow Afghan territory to be used against other countries. He said Pakistan had consistently urged Kabul to cut ties with militant outfits responsible for cross-border terrorism.
Terrorism Concerns Echo Dar’s Warning at OIC
Bugti’s remarks came days after Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar raised similar concerns at the inaugural meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Afghanistan in New York. Dar had cautioned about the presence of over two dozen terrorist organisations in Afghanistan, including the TTP, BLA, Majeed Brigade, and ETIM, which he said were actively collaborating with Al-Qaeda and threatening regional stability.
Accusations Against India
The Balochistan chief minister also reiterated his longstanding stance that Indian intelligence agency RAW was behind attempts to destabilise Pakistan. “I have been saying from day one that it is a RAW-based and RAW-funded war. India is trying to bring together all the actors working to destabilise Pakistan,” he told reporters.
Chaghi Operation Details
Bugti shared details of a recent intelligence-based operation conducted in Chaghi district, where two terrorists were killed and one surrendered. Security forces, he said, had cordoned off a house and urged the militants to surrender, but the terrorists opened fire, injuring a Frontier Corps (FC) personnel. In retaliation, two militants were killed while the third gave up after a fierce exchange of fire.
The chief minister revealed that one of the slain terrorists had been conducting reconnaissance of sensitive projects in Chaghi. “He would monitor the movement of Chinese nationals working on mine and mineral projects in the area. He was also involved in planning the attack on the FC Headquarters,” Bugti disclosed.
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Suspension of 4G Services
Addressing public criticism over the suspension of 4G mobile services across Balochistan, Bugti clarified that the move was not intended to inconvenience the population but to curb militant communications. “It is not our purpose to irritate people. Terrorists have started using all mediums of communication, some beyond the capacity of our intelligence agencies,” he explained.
Bugti stressed that the temporary suspension of mobile services was aimed at denying militants access to technology used for planning and coordinating attacks.
