ISLAMABAD: National Counter Terrorism Authority (NCTA) has evolved plan to launch effective action against terrorism, militancy and extremism.
The government has accorded financial autonomy to NCTA for implementation of this plan. A sum of Rs 1.64 billion have been allocated in the annual budget of NCTA this year and initially amount of Rs 530 million have been released on this count. NCTA has enrolled its necessary staff and the process of Joint Intelligence Directorate (JID) and recruitment of staff group has been finalized.
According to official record received from credible sources of NCTA , the terrorists and militants have set up their hide outs in different areas of Punjab. As many as 180 terrorists were killed in targeted operations in the adjoining areas of Rajan Pur during 2017.
557 terrorists were apprehended The terrorists fled from FATA and other areas to major cities of the country in the face of operation Zarb-e-Azb and operation Radd-ul- Fasaad. Most of them first of all made Karachi their destination and they have made southern districts of Punjab their safe havens after strict operation in Karachi.
According to intelligence information the terrorists have taken refuge in religious organizations and seminaries in major cities including Lahore, Multan, Toba Tek Singh. Faisalabad and Sargodha.
NCTA sources said though Intelligence Based Operations (IBO) are continuing across the country and provinces have established their respective Counter Terrorism Departments (CTDs) yet such operations don’t take place continuously due to lack of capability in police.
NCTA will launch its targeted operations through its force on the basis of its Intelligence Based Information (IBI). These operations will start within a few days throughout Punjab.
In order to target heavily the financial resources of terrorists every thing ranging from collection of donation in mosques and collection of donation from shop keepers will be monitored.
Sources said that special focus will be placed on crime of kidnapping for ransom in Punjab and such cases will not be left to the police investigation only. NGOs working in welfare oriented fields will be monitored and all the financial resources meant for terrorist activities will be choked. Intelligence network is being set up in all the cities to prevent sending remittances through Hundi and Havala. JID special wing will directly monitor the dubious transactions in banks.
NCTA sources disclosed that the process for taking into custody the active workers of proscribed outfits will start within a few weeks. The key figures of banned outfits will not be allowed to work in some other organizations and such organizations will also be declared illegal. The accounts of persons included in schedule 4 were already sealed. However their licensed arms will also be confiscated.
Sources said that Counter Terrorism Force (CTF) under NCTA will not an ordinary force but it will comprise such persons who are fully trained in commando job and will be mentally prepared to fight against terrorists.
Approval has been accorded for appointment of highly skilled 1500 commandos in Punjab and 1182 among them have been selected.
NCTA sources have made it clear that seminaries and religious figures are playing their role consciously or unconsciously in stoking terrorism. Therefore all the seminaries will be placed under intelligence surveillance and they will be persuaded to work within the ambit of law. The seminaries found involved in challenging writ of state will not be spared and will be proceeded against under terrorism act.