Counter Terrorism Department to be revamped in Sindh: IG
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KARACHI (APP): The Inspector General of Police, Sindh claiming 70 % decline in target killing incidents since the launch of the National Action Plan (NAP) said it would go further down after augmentation of the Counter-Terrorism Department of the province.
In an exclusive interview with APP here, IGP Sindh, A.D. Khawaja, said the performance of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), set up after the initiation of NAP, was upto the mark. However, he added its further augmentation was necessary to bring improvements in the security and counter terrorism activities of the government.
The department would consist of some 1500 personnel including 500 Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs) who would be recruited through Sindh Public Service Commission, he said.
The IGP said these personnel would be imparted special training for which, he added a separate training school was being established.
The IGP informed that the provincial government has allocated Rs. 320 million this year for revamping Sindh Police's Special Branch. "We are working zealously to make the Special Branch an active unit to perform intelligence gathering in an effective manner", he remarked.
A.D. Khawaja maintained that recruitment in the Sindh Police is being undertaken on merit through National Testing Service (NTS). "These steps are aimed at building up this force in order to gear this up to effectively tackle the menace of terrorism," the IGP said.
He was of the view that a database of Driving and arms licences should be developed on national level besides data of vehicles as well as seminaries (Madaris) be gathered for prompt verification of required information.
He opined that the provinces should not have any reservations to this effect, as such data would contribute towards effective sharing of the required information.
A.D. Khawaja was of the view that the data of NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) should also be shared in a proper manner.
He maintained that "on our demand, the NADRA has agreed to provide such a data". A biometric system in collaboration with the NADRA should be evolved to verify the arms licenses, he suggested.
Replying to a query, he pointed out that random tab on the immigrants resulted in arrest of some 2,812 illegal immigrants since the initiation of the NAP.
About a question about the restriction on use of loud speaker, Khawaja said that 2115 cases have been registered and 1336 accused arrested over the violation of Sound System Act/Loud Speaker Act. While 126 cases have been registered in connection with hate speeches/hate materials and 88 accused arrested under these charges, he added.
He informed that six arrests have been made on charges of terrorists financing. In all, 182 arrests have been made in action under Temporary Residence Act, he added.
The IGP informed that 22,140 suspects have been arrested in 48246 raids under combing operations/intelligence-based operations/raids conducted in the province with regard to the implementation of the NAP. Action has been initiated against 602 individuals placed on 4th Schedule, he added.
He said that 15588 cases have been registered under the Arms Act/action against display of arms.
The IGP said a total 311 suspected terrorists have been killed -- 233 were related to Tehrik e Taliban, Pakistan (TTP) and 78 to sectarian outfits, adding that over 1,200 suspects have been arrested.
Replying to a question, he said since the start of the NAP in September 2013, a total of 442 such incidents had been reported in the past 35 months as compared to 1,227 target killing incidents recorded in the corresponding period before the operation.
Similarly, he said, the incidents of terrorism came down from 77 to 54; incidents of murders declined from 6,836 to 3,989 and kidnapping for ransom incidents decreased from 274 to 183. Moreover extortion cases also reduced substantially, he added.
The IGP said the law and order situation in Karachi has improved significantly due to effective actions by police and Rangers. However, he believed that there were still some areas where work has to be done.
"Substantial improvement is there in the wake of Karachi Operation," the IGP remarked, expressing commitment to bring further improvements.
