2,000 Rangers sought for Punjab; will be given police powers

[Devil Soul]

Rangers to get policing powers in Punjab
By Rameez Khan
Published: February 22, 2017
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PHOTO: AFP

LAHORE: Rangers troops being deployed in Punjab to assist a crackdown on extremists will be empowered to independently conduct intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in the province, The Express Tribune has learned.

The Punjab government, following the decision of the province’s apex committee, has requested the interior ministry to lend around 2,000 Rangers for the next 60 to 90 days to assist counter-terror operations in the province.

Law and order: Govt vows support for police, Rangers



According to well-placed sources, the Rangers will conduct their operations based mainly on information passed on to the force by military intelligence sources. The paramilitary troops may decide not to share this information with police officials to prevent it from being leaked, the sources said. While they’re deployed in Punjab, the Rangers will have the power to detain or arrest anyone and will lodge FIRs with the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), the sources added.

The Rangers will mainly focus on operations in South Punjab – particularly in Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan, two districts which the police have found tough to operate in – the sources said. They said another apex committee meeting will be held in the coming days to streamline the anti-terror offensive in the Punjab.

When contacted, Punjab Home Secretary Azam Suleiman said he did not know the specifics of the planned Rangers operation in the province. However, he confirmed that the paramilitary troops will be empowered to operate on their own and lodge FIRs with CTD.

Law and order huddle

The Punjab Cabinet Committee on Peace met on Tuesday to review law and order in the province. The meeting, chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, censured the recent wave of terror in the country and offered condolences for the victims.

Rangers kill seven terrorists in Karachi encounter

Chief Minister Shehbaz vowed to always stand with those who had to sacrifice their lives for the nation’s future, and stressed the need for unity in this critical phase.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 22nd, 2017.

 

[fatman17]

Asia Pacific
Pakistan to step up fight against militants in Punjab
Farhan Bokhari, Islamabad - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
22 February 2017



The government of Pakistan's Punjab Province has requested the deployment of military troops after a recent upsurge in attacks by militant groups, a senior provincial government official told Jane's on 21 February.

Speaking on condition of anonymity the official said the worsening security conditions in the province had "left the provincial government with no other choice but to call on the Pakistan Army [PA] for support".

The decision is likely to not only enlarge the PA's role in domestic security issues, but also to the place the army in a key position in the South Asian country's most populous province.

 

[Devil Soul]

2,000 Rangers sought for Punjab; will be given police powers
INTIKHAB HANIF — UPDATED about an hour ago
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LAHORE: Punjab has requested the federal government to deploy over 2,000 Rangers personnel in the province whom it will allow police powers to conduct intelligence-based operations (IBOs) against terrorists, wherever required, with full authority.

The province had been resisting such powers of police officers for Rangers whenever the issue of their deployment to fight terrorists here came up in the past. Officials say the force is now being called in and given such powers specifically for IBOs.

The decision to call in Rangers to fight terrorists was taken at a meeting of the provincial apex committee which was presided over by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and attended among others by National Security Adviser retired Lt Gen Nasser Khan Janjua, Lahore Corps Commander Lt Gen Sadiq Ali and Punjab Rangers Director General Maj Gen Azhar Naveed Hayat on Sunday.

The meeting was held in the aftermath of a suicide attack at Charing Cross on The Mall on Feb 13, claiming the lives of 14 people, including Deputy Inspector General Capt Mubin and Senior Superintendent of Police Zahid Nawaz Gondal.

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“We have requested the federal interior division to deploy around 2,000 Rangers who will be assisted by their support staff to conduct operations against terrorists in Punjab initially for 60 to 90 days,” a senior provincial government official told Dawn on Tuesday.

Personnel to conduct operations initially for 60 to 90 days
He said Rangers would conduct IBOs in league with the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) all over the province. Regular police would be asked for support only if required, the official said.

Rangers were being given powers of police officers under Section 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). All cases of terrorism would be registered at CTD police stations. Rangers would also have cases registered like CTD officers are authorised to under the law with legal cover for all other actions during and after operations.

Section 5(1) of the ATA states that any police officer, or member of the armed forces, or civil armed forces (Rangers) who is present or deployed in any area may, after giving sufficient warning, use the necessary force to prevent the commission of terrorist acts or scheduled offences. In doing so he, in the case of an officer of the armed forces or civil armed forces, shall exercise all the powers of a police officer under the Code (Criminal Procedure Code 1898)”.

Section 5(2) of the law says that in particular and without prejudice to generality of the provisions of subsection, an officer of the police, armed forces and civil armed forces may, after giving prior warning use such force as may be deemed necessary or appropriate bearing in mind all the facts and circumstances of the situation, against any person who is committing a terrorist act or a scheduled offence.

It shall be lawful for any such officer or any superior officer to fire or order the firing upon any person or persons against whom he is authorised to use force. This they will do while arresting without warrant any person who has committed an act of terrorism or a scheduled offence or is suspected of any such act.

The officer also has powers for entering and searching, without warrant, any premises to make any arrest or to take possession of any property, firearm, weapon or article used, or likely to be used, for any offence of terrorism.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2017

 

[Pakistan First]

Hogwash. Screw the powers of Police which GOP is giving to Rangers. Rangers will do whatever they're asked to do by you-know-who.

 

[Inception-06]

Only 2000, how many are deployed in Karachi alone ?

 

[Verve]

Good.

 

[Asim javeed]

This is good decision, But just 2000? We Need more Rangers

 

[PakAlp]

You need atleast 20,000 rangers in Punjab for the next 3 years in order to achieve some results. Full NAP needs to be implemented in Punjab. But i highly doubt this will happen as many leaders in PMLN are either very corrupt or in alliance with the anti Pakistan elements.

Paramilitary troops need to be in KPK aswell if not already there and PTI needs to end their alliance with the terrorist supporting parties, we all know very well which parties said Pakistan army jawans are not martyrs, these same people read the funeral prayers of the killed TTP leaders. Why does PTI have alliance with them?

 

[RangeMaster]

You need atleast 20,000 rangers in Punjab for the next 3 years in order to achieve some results.

Bro You are right but Punjab rangers consist of 16056 personnel.Fast Recruitment is needed to boost their numbers.

 

[PakCan]

Just my opinion, in karachi they patrol and have constant presence in some areas so high number is required. In punjab they will be conducting intelligence based operations and won't be required to do area patrols so 2000 might be enough.

 

[tarrar]

Punjab & Sindh police are rented wh*res of ganja league & gadari party.

 

[Saif-ud-Din Qutuz]

2000 rangers in Punjab looks like a formality to me. If they really want to carry out comprehensive cleansing of Punjab then the numbers just don't make sense.

 

[Eagle_storm]

I heard out before the ranger deployment that PML(N) order to police where ever you saw pashtun or afghan arrest them.. Is it true it is also stated by PTI member Ali muhamad khan that PML(N) did it. What is this if it is like to be this kindly deployed the ranger and give them all powers remove the power from police.. We want justice not a shit.How far will this discrimination going on? I my self a student of shariah law and I'm Pashtun belongs to a tribal area i teach also but what message or back up you are giving me
.MR PUNJAB?

I would also suggest to deployed rangers in Kpk so doodh ka doodh pani ka pani.

How many activities in karachi all the shit whom involved was MQM same would also appear in PUNJAB (PMLN)just give them All powers and what is that appex committee

 

[TheNoob]

I heard out before the ranger deployment that PML(N) order to police where ever you saw pashtun or afghan arrest them.. Is it true it is also stated by PTI member Ali muhamad khan that PML(N) did it. What is this if it is like to be this kindly deployed the ranger and give them all powers remove the power from police.. We want justice not a shit.How far will this discrimination going on? I my self a student of shariah law and I'm Pashtun belongs to a tribal area i teach also but what message or back up you are giving me
.MR PUNJAB?

I would also suggest to deployed rangers in Kpk so doodh ka doodh pani ka pani.

How many activities in karachi all the shit whom involved was MQM same would also appear in PUNJAB (PMLN)just give them All powers and what is that appex committee

uh no?

I dont know why people so easily give in to crappy intentional bullshit meant to misguide them....

 

[Eagle_storm]

uh no?

I dont know why people so easily give in to crappy intentional bullshit meant to misguide them....

I don't get you? Sorry

The best ops were carried on by ranger in karachi and i salute to each of ranger..but PLEASE also give them the same power in punjab and then we will watch who dare.