ISLAMABAD/QUETTA: In response to the recent surge in terrorism in Balochistan, the federal government has removed Abdul Khalique Sheikh from his position as Balochistan’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) and appointed Moazzam Jah Ansari as his successor. The change was announced on Wednesday, with Abdul Khalique Sheikh, a BS-21 officer from the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP), being reassigned to the Establishment Division. Moazzam Jah Ansari, a BS-22 officer currently serving as Commandant of the Frontier Constabulary, has been named the new IGP of Balochistan.
In a related development, the newly appointed IGP Moazzam Jah Ansari met with President Asif Ali Zardari later in the day. During their meeting, President Zardari emphasized the urgent need for improved law and order in Balochistan and extended his best wishes to Ansari for his new role.
Balochistan has recently faced severe terrorism incidents, including an attack earlier this week by militants from the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which resulted in at least 50 deaths, including 14 security personnel. The militants targeted police stations, railway tracks, and vehicles across the province.
In response to these attacks, President Zardari, along with Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi and Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, has called for decisive action to enhance security and eliminate terrorist threats in the region.
Case Filed Against Militants
On Wednesday, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of Balochistan Police filed a case against unidentified militants for the killing of 23 passengers in the Rara Shram area of Musakhail district. The case, registered by the CTD of Loralai under the Anti-Terrorism Act and other relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, details the attack that occurred on the night of August 25. The FIR reports that the SHO of Loralai CTD witnessed the aftermath of explosions and gunfire, which resulted in 23 deaths and five injuries, including three security personnel.
The attackers targeted passenger buses on the Loralai-Dera Ghazi Khan Highway, specifically targeting passengers from Punjab. The incident, which caused significant damage to around two dozen vehicles, was noted as one of the deadliest attacks in a series of terrorist incidents across Balochistan on August 25 and 26.
