QUETTA (Staff Report) – Pakistan’s security agencies have arrested six members of an organized spy network, led by the Afghan National Army, for destabilizing the country through various acts of violence, including bombings and target killings.
“Six Afghan spies, including an Afghan National Army officer, have been arrested from Pishin on charges of creating unrest, bombings, and targeted killings inside Balochistan,” Home Minister Safaraz Bugti said during a media briefing on Thursday (today).
The terrorists have been identified as Mehboob Khan, Asmatullah, Abdullah Shah, Ahmadullah, Noorullah, and Muhammad Shafi.
Related: Pakistani forces arrest Indian Naval officer spying inside Balochistan
Mr Bugti said the Afghan spies had received backing from India’s civilian spy agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
The provincial minister lashed out at the Afghan intelligence agency – the National Directorate of Security – for deceiving Pakistan.
“What is the Afghan intelligence doing with Pakistan?” he questioned.
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Bugti said that Pakistan had housed Afghan refugees with “utmost respect” but added that it was now time for them to “go back to their homeland”.
According to details provided by intelligence agencies, the Afghan spies had been tasked with spreading terrorism inside Balochistan.
Detailing the NDS’s handlers responsible for running the spies, Bugti named three NDS generals, one of whom is now retired. “General Naeem Baloch, General Momin and General Malik are the handlers of the network, and General Malik has retired now.”
He elaborated that the generals were providing financial and logistical support to the spies with the aim of spreading chaos in Balochistan, and Pakistan as a whole.
The home minister, who was flanked by senior army officials, also released the confessional video of the arrested terrorists who admitted to killing dozens of Pakistanis in Quetta and Chaman.
The Afghan nationals, who had also been carrying fake Pakistani CNICs, said they were being paid Rs. 80,000 for each bomb attack, and between Rs. 150,000 to Rs. 200,000 for each target killing.
Applaud from Army Chief
Army chief General Raheel Sharif, who was in Quetta on Thursday, lauded the efforts of security agencies for busting the network of Raw-backed Afghan spies, the ISPR said.
Previously while addressing the participants at Command and Staff College in Quetta, the COAS said no military in the world has been able to synergise effects as much as the Pakistan Army has single-handedly.
During the address, chief of army staff emphasised on Pakistan’s resolve, as well as determination to confront the global phenomenon of terrorism and extremism.
