Quetta: Balochistan’s provincial authorities have announced the arrest of an Afghan Taliban-linked militant, claiming to have exposed a cross-border terrorism network operating along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
In a joint press conference, Provincial Interior Minister Zia Langove, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Hamza Shafqaat, and DIG CTD said security forces arrested a militant identified as Habibullah, an افغان national allegedly linked to the Afghan Taliban (TTA).
Officials said the suspect confessed to involvement in attacks on Pakistani security forces in collaboration with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Authorities added that his brother, Sher Afghan, is a TTP commander based in Paktika, Afghanistan.
According to officials, the suspect, also known as Lalo, was re-arrested from the Kuchlak area. He had previously been detained but was released after being treated as a civilian. Authorities said he later returned to militant activities and was involved in the killing of two Frontier Corps personnel.
The officials stated that the arrest highlights coordination between TTA and TTP elements in destabilising Balochistan.
The suspect reportedly disclosed that the network is led by an individual identified as “Muslim” and has been involved in targeting Pakistani personnel during clashes along the Pak-Afghan border.
Additional Chief Secretary Hamza Shafqaat said thousands of intelligence-based operations have been conducted across the province. He added that around 960,000 Afghan nationals have been deported as part of a crackdown on illegal residents.
He also confirmed the implementation of a “one document regime” requiring valid passports and visas to regulate cross-border movement and curb illegal activities.
Interior Minister Zia Langove stated that Pakistan has repeatedly shared evidence with Afghan authorities regarding the use of Afghan soil against Pakistan. He said that in the absence of a response, Pakistan is taking measures to target militant hideouts to ensure the safety of its citizens.
He clarified that Pakistan’s stance is not against Afghan civilians but against militant elements, adding that any threat to the country’s security would be addressed firmly.
DIG CTD said authorities are tightening the net around other members of the network and further arrests are expected.
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