ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has formally banned Hafiz Gul Bahadur group and Majid Brigade, a suicide wing of the Baloch terrorist organization, in a latest move to ramp up fight against the resurgence of terrorism in the country, the Express Tribune reported on Thursday.
According to the newspaper, the list of proscribed organizations maintained by National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) shows Majid Brigade and Hafiz Gul Bahadur group are now part of the banned outfits. The list available on NACTA website shows that Hafiz Gul Bahadur group was outlawed formally on July 25 while Majid Brigade was banned on July 18.
The paper reported that the move was inevitable as both groups have stepped up terrorist attacks in recent months, threatening Pakistan’s security. Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, which now operates from Afghanistan, has conducted some of the deadly terrorist attacks targeting security forces in the country.
Once such terrorist attack occurred in Bannu Cantonment earlier this month leaving eight Pakistani troops martyred before 10 terrorists were eliminated, the paper reported.
Hafiz Gul Bahadur group and Majid Brigade
In March, Hafiz Gul Bahadur group also claimed responsibility of targeting a security check post in Tank, leaving 7 Pakistani soldiers including two officers martyred. Islamabad has been repeatedly demanding the extradition of Hafiz Gul Bahadur, the outfit’s leader. The militant group is not part of the banned TTP but shares the same ideology.
The banned Majid Brigade, meanwhile, has been carrying out terrorist attacks targeting the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Express Tribune added. It is the suicide wing of Baloch terrorist group to undermine Chinese investments especially in Balochistan, the report maintained.
Nexus Between TTP and Majid Brigade
The report maintained that the outfit has conducted numerous attacks targeting the Chinese citizens. The most notable terrorist attacks included attack on Pakistan stock exchange, Confucius Institute at the Karachi university and Chinese Consulate in Karachi. A recent report submitted to the UNSC also reveals a possible nexus between the banned TTP and Majid Brigade. The Express Tribune reported that it is believed that the banned TTP might have trained suicide bombers of the terrorist group of Majid Brigade.
The paper noted that banned TTP and Baloch terrorist outfits share no ideology but their common interests to hit Pakistani interests have, perhaps, brought them on the same page.
