Symbolic photo.
Karachi: There has been a stir in Pakistan due to the recovery of army weapons from unauthorized persons. At least 140 advanced weapons and 1.4 lakh bullets of the Federal Levy Force have been found in the possession of unauthorized persons in Zhob district of Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province. Officials gave this information on Sunday. The ‘Federal Levy Force’ is the provincial paramilitary force (Gendarmerie) of Pakistan, whose main role is to ensure law enforcement, assist the civil police in maintaining law and order and conduct internal security operations at the provincial level.
According to the FIR lodged by the Deputy Commissioner of Police at Zhob Nagar police station, these weapons and bullets were meant for the Federal Levy Force, but were distributed to unauthorized persons. Police said cases have been registered against 69 people for their involvement in the case, including serving and retired levy force personnel as well as influential tribal figures. According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abdul Saboor, officials have so far recovered 44 weapons, including Kalashnikov rifles and pistols, and a large number of bullets. “Investigation is underway to recover more weapons and bullets in possession of unauthorized persons,” he said.
Arms scam being cited as the reason
According to Saboor, there are concerns that some of these weapons and bullets may have fallen into the hands of separatist groups operating in the area. He said the scam came to light earlier this week during the merger process of the levy force with the Balochistan Police in three districts. According to Sabur, authorities found during an inspection of the weapons stockpile that 140 weapons, including Kalashnikov rifles, and 140,000 rounds of ammunition were missing, raising concerns about security lapses and possible misuse of the weapons. Balochistan has long been facing separatist insurgency and terrorist incidents, making this scam a cause of particular concern. Federal levy forces play a key role in counter-terrorism operations in Balochistan. (Language)
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