Security forces continue to register major successes to root out militancy from the country. The ISPR announced on Friday the arrest of founder of banned Baloch National Army (BNA) Gulzar Imam in an innovatively conceived, carefully planned and meticulously executed operation, which is being seen as a serious blow to insurgency in Balochistan.
Gulzar Imam alias Shambay is a very high profile target and his arrest can be described as most important ever since security forces took hold of RAW agent Kulbushan Jadhav about seven years ago in Balochistan. Kulbushan arrest had made our claims true that India is backing Baloch separatists to instigate chaos and instability. The ISPR in its statement whilst alluding to visits of Gulzar Imam to India and Afghanistan rightly pointed out that hostile intelligence agencies tried to exploit him to work against Pakistan and its national interests. Certainly links between Baloch separatist groups and India are well established and we are confident that after thorough investigations, their nexus that exists in different parts of the province will further come to fore and this will prove to be instrumental in neutralising it. The intelligence-based operations must be taken forward in the same manner until this scourge of terrorism and militancy is completely uprooted.
While security agencies are fulfilling their responsibilities and demonstrating their capabilities and resolve against terrorism, it is also for government to come forward and address longstanding grievances and sense of deprivation among Baloch people. Otherwise, these separatist and terrorist groups supported and financed by our arch enemy will continue to find more recruits. There is need to go beyond lip service to bring a genuine change in the lives of people of Balochistan. Doing so will also help the country reap true benefits from multibillion dollars China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and unearth the vast natural resources there. We have no doubt in saying that our country can achieve self-reliance and a sustainable growth path by uplifting Balochistan.
