Terrorist camps destroyed, suspects arrested in Balochistan raids

QUETTA: Security forces have destroyed five terrorist camps in an intelligence-based action as part of on-going Operation Radd-ul Fasaad in Dera Bugti, Balochistan.

According to ISPR, seven kilogram explosive was recovered.

Meanwhile, three suspects involved in terrorist activities were also apprehended along with weapons in Killa Abdllah and Loralai.

Beijing has pledged $57 billion for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship “Belt and Road” project that first focused on Chinese firms building roads and power stations but is now expanding to include setting up industries.

Gwadar, which houses a natural deep-water port, is central to the establishment of the corridor and is among the most guarded areas in the country.

In May, terror group BLA insurgents gunned down 13 laborers working on CPEC-linked projects in Balochistan in two separate attacks.

Reuters adds: Taliban and other Islamist militants also attempt to carry out attacks in the province, which shares borders with Afghanistan and Iran.

Last month, Islamic State militants abducted and killed two Chinese nationals in Quetta. Interior ministry later said the couple were preachers who had not registered with the government and turned down security offers.

The attack prompted Pakistan to boost security around Chinese nationals and other foreigners.

Balochistan has a significant natural gas industry but large-scale mining has failed to take off.

Foreign firms have been put off by security fears and a high-profile litigation case with Canada’s Barrick Gold and Chile’s Antofagasta over Reko Diq, one of the world’s biggest undeveloped gold and copper mines, in the province.

Saleh Muhammad Baloch, the province’s top mining official, said the plan is for Chinese companies chosen by Beijing to team up with local firms to mine marble, chromite, limestone, coal and other minerals, and set up steel mills and other plants.