By Shabbir Mir in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2014.
GILGIT: In a bid to prevent the infiltration of militants from Afghanistan via Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Chitral district, the Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government has decided to deploy G-B Scouts in Ghizer Valley’s ravines.
The decision was taken by the government after militants crossed into Pakistan from Afghanistan on Saturday and attacked a check post in Bajaur Agency. Three Pakistani security personnel, including a captain, were killed in the attack.
Requesting anonymity, an official privy to the meeting told The Express Tribune on Sunday that several high-ranking G-B officials participated in the meeting, including law minister Ali Madad Sher and home secretary Attaur Rahman.
Measures taken to ensure law and order were reviewed and it was decided the on-duty scouts would be equipped with modern equipment, including wireless communication devices, binoculars and guns, enabling them to respond in a timely, effective manner if required.
During the meeting, Ayub Shah, a lawmaker from Ghizer Valley, said suspicious-looking people had been spotted in Yasin Valley, which caused residents to panic. He also pointed out lack of police personnel in Ghizer and demanded foolproof security.
“Ghizer Valley is easily accessible from Chitral, so it is important to guard G-B’s entry routes if we want to remain immune from terrorism,” the insider said, while quoting Shah.
G-B Scouts will be stationed at the check posts in Immit Valley and will keep an eye on those entering. The police, on the other hand, will be guarding Darkut and Langar areas near Shandur Pass.
The scenic Ghizer Valley is also accessible from Diamer Valley where security forces have launched a manhunt to arrest militants who ransacked a police station on July 4.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/735290/g-b-government-deploys-scouts-in-ghizer-valley/
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