QUETTA: Balochistan’s Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti voiced concerns on Friday regarding the presence of internet towers in sparsely populated regions of the province, warning that such infrastructure could be exploited against the state.
During a press conference in Quetta, CM Bugti expressed his surprise at the existence of internet towers in areas like Sangan, where population density is minimal. He questioned, “When I fly over these areas in a helicopter, I see 4G services. Who installed these towers, and for what purpose?” He cautioned that militants could potentially misuse these towers to cause harm to law enforcement and the state.
The CM also unveiled a Rs3 billion project aimed at deploying fibre optic cables to all educational institutions and hospitals across Balochistan. The initiative is designed to enhance internet access while ensuring proper monitoring of its use.
On security issues, Bugti praised the efforts of the Frontier Corps (FC), revealing that 12 terrorists were eliminated during a recent operation in Kharan. He stated that the militants were attempting to loot banks, with around 15 to 20 individuals trying to force their way into financial institutions.
He reported that one civilian was injured in the operation and is currently receiving treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH). Additionally, four terrorists were killed at different locations during the crackdown. The militants attempted to break into ATMs and escape with cash, managing to steal Rs3.4 million from one bank, according to the CM.
Bugti emphasized that these incidents reflect how ideology-driven elements are turning to bank robberies to fund their activities. This statement comes amid a rise in terror incidents across Pakistan since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. As per statistics shared by ISPR Director-General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, law enforcement agencies conducted 75,175 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) nationwide in 2025, resulting in the deaths of 2,597 terrorists.
