Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Friday raised concerns over the presence of internet towers in sparsely populated areas of the province, suggesting that such infrastructure could potentially be misused. Speaking at a press conference in Quetta, CM Bugti highlighted locations like Sangan, where population density is minimal, yet 4G services are operational. He questioned the rationale behind the installation of these towers and warned of potential misuse by militants.
In a related announcement, CM Bugti unveiled a Rs3 billion initiative to lay fibre optic cables across all schools, colleges, universities, and hospitals in Balochistan. The project aims to provide internet access while allowing authorities to monitor its usage, reflecting an effort to balance connectivity expansion with security concerns.
On security developments, CM Bugti credited Frontier Corps personnel with neutralising 12 terrorists during a recent operation in Kharan town. The militants were reportedly attempting bank robberies, with some managing to steal Rs3.4 million from one branch. During the operations, one civilian was injured and is receiving treatment at the Combined Military Hospital. CM Bugti noted that law enforcement was able to eliminate four terrorists on the spot across three locations, preventing further escalation.
In a separate statement, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that security forces engaged 12 Indian-sponsored terrorists from Fitna Al Hindustan in Kharan district. On 15 January 2026, the group reportedly carried out multiple attacks on a city police station, a National Bank of Pakistan branch, and a private bank, stealing Rs3.4 million. Security forces responded effectively, thwarting an intended hostage situation and carrying out a clearance operation across three engagements. ISPR stated that the counterterrorism campaign under the vision “Azm-e-Istehkam” will continue to target foreign-sponsored threats.
Security analysts note that Pakistan has seen an increase in such incidents since the Afghan Taliban assumed control in Kabul in 2021. According to ISPR Director-General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, law enforcement agencies conducted 75,175 intelligence-based operations across the country in 2025, resulting in the elimination of 2,597 terrorists.
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