As the military ups the ante against terror outfits, Army chief General Raheel Sharif informed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday that the Punjab Rangers have started covert operations against banned organisations in Punjab. “As part of internal security measures, the ongoing phase of Karachi operation, ‘Pur Amn Balochistan’ and law and order situation in Punjab following the killing of provincial home minister Shuja Khanzada came under discussion between the two,” sources told The Express Tribune. While the premier and army chief agreed that the modus operandi of sectarian outfits operating in Punjab is different from Taliban, the army chief said Punjab Rangers have started under-cover operations in Punjab against terrorists under NAP, the source added. The banned outfits operating from Punjab have their own internal dynamics and have functioned in their own capacities without much fear of retribution as long as they did not upset the balance of peace in the province. It is sad that it took an attack on a Home Minister to prove that lines had been crossed and action was needed. The modus operandi of these sectarian outfits operating in Punjab is different from Taliban; hence the Punjab Rangers have started undercover operations to tackle with these terrorists accordingly.Sources have also confirmed that Pakistan’s intelligence services have crushed a network of more than 12 RAW operatives in Punjab. Details are emerging of enemy agents gathering information on important politicians and official figures as well as monitoring day-to-day security arrangements of vital state buildings and installations. With the threat of a possible war with India, RAW operatives in hiding as well as rumors of sleeping terrorist and sectarian cells across Punjab it seems that the Rangers and the military leadership has its plate full.Pakistan is going through a critical period where the Karachi operation is proving to be successful against crime. What remains to be seen is that how effectively will the operation be carried out in the Punjab and what effect, if any, will it have on status quo politics. The Rangers are essentially under the control of the Interior ministry of Pakistan, and their actions depict that the operation has the full support of the civilian leadership.
pk.shafaqna.com
