QUETTA, July 15: The Balochistan government has decided to launch action against criminals involved in kidnapping for ransom, target killings, robberies and other heinous crimes in Quetta and other parts of the province.

A meeting presided over by Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani resolved on Sunday that the government would provide complete security to people involved in the ongoing activities in mining and other sectors and terrorists would not be allowed to affect them adversely.

Chief Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad, Frontier Corps’ IG Major General Obaidullah Khattak, IG Police Tariq Omer Khitab, Home Secretary Nasibullah Bazai, Special Branch DIG Rehmatullah Niazi, Quetta CCPO Mir Zubair Mehmood and Commissioner Qambar Dashti and other senior officers attended the meeting.

The meeting was held on the directives of the Supreme Court which had asked the provincial government to bring criminals and outlaws to justice. It decided to utilise all resources to control crimes and terrorist activities in the province.

“Police and levies force will conduct joint targeted operation on the basis of credible information against target killers, kidnappers and other criminals,” a senior official of the provincial government said.

Check-posts would be set up after clearing areas of anti-social elements and criminals, he added.

He said the action would be taken in Quetta, Mastung and Kachhi districts against gangs involved in target killings, kidnappings for ransom and other crimes. Chief Minister Raisani directed the authorities concerned and heads of law enforcement agencies not to accept political or any other pressure while taking action against criminals.

The meeting also decided to act more effectively against elements involved in sectarian killings.