RAW behind terror incidents in Pakistan, says Bugti

Quetta: The Interim Interior Minister, Sarfraz Bugti said that Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is involved in terror incidents inside the country.

Bugti resolved to defeat terrorism in the country and maintain the writ of the state.

His remarks came a day after two separate suicide bombings shook the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries.

While addressing a press conference held in Quetta, Interior Minister Bugti expressed a firm commitment to restoring the authority of the state. He emphasized that the responsible parties behind these acts were known to the authorities and pledged to seek retribution for every Pakistani life lost.

The minister vowed to employ all available resources to eradicate terrorism, underscoring that there would be no tolerance for militants or their supporters within the nation. Bugti stated, “We are well aware of the sources and perpetrators behind these actions,”.

In one incident, a suicide bomber targeted an Eid Milad un Nabi procession in the remote Mastung district of Balochistan, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 52 individuals, including a police officer, and injuring 60 others. Simultaneously, in KP's Hangu, another suicide attack occurred at a mosque, claiming the lives of five individuals, including a policeman, and injuring 12 more.

Both attacks unfolded on Friday, coinciding with the preparations for Friday prayers and the commemoration of the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Regarding the incident in Mastung, Balochistan, a case has been registered against unidentified assailants at the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police station in Quetta. The accused have been charged under various sections, including murder, attempted murder, and the Anti-Terrorism and Explosive Act. Investigations are currently underway, though no arrests have been made thus far, according to a CTD spokesperson.

In response to a query, the federal minister mentioned the successful recovery of four abducted footballers from Dera Bugti and assured that efforts to rescue the remaining captives were ongoing. Earlier this month, on September 9, six footballers were kidnapped while en route to Sibbi from Balochistan's Jani Bair area in Dera Bugti.