Pakistan raids security firm hired by US: police

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

Pakistan raids security firm hired by US: police


ISLAMABAD — Pakistan police on Saturday raided the offices of a local company contracted to provide security to the US embassy and seized a stash of allegedly illegal firearms, officials said.

The raid was conducted on a house in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital. Two people were arrested, and 61 illegal guns and 10 pistols impounded along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition, police said.

"Police have registered a case of fraud against the owner of the company and arrested two people from the offices of Inter-Risk," police official Rana Akram told reporters.

Police denied any connection between the raid on Inter-Risk and the US embassy, but said they were working to protect foreigners living in the capital and increasing vigilance ahead of the Muslim religious festival of Eid al-Fitr.

"The raid was nothing to do with Americans. It was a routine security check conducted because of Eid," said Akram.

"We raided the house after information that weapons have been concealed in a house... Foreigners are here in Islamabad and we have to give them security and protection," he added.

"They did not produce any licence for these arms, these are illegal arms," the officer added.

A spokesman for the US embassy confirmed that Inter-Risk was one of several Pakistani security firms contracted to help protect US missions in Pakistan.

"Inter-Risk does have a contract with the means to provide security at our embassy and consulates, and our understanding is that... they have all the requisite permits that they need," said Rick Snelsire.

The company had been contracted to the embassy since about the start of the year but was "by no means the largest" of the Pakistani contractors employed by the US embassy, the spokesman said.

Pakistan police said they were surveying all private security companies and checking their licences.

AFP: Pakistan raids security firm hired by US: police

 

[pak-marine]

Good Pakistan ! keep em checked, any one suspicious should be arrested ,investigated and deported!

 

[Awesome]

Hmmm the plot thickens...

I think this is the best strategy, make our own guys follow the law if you can't touch diplomats (with automatic weapons).

 

[Righteous_Fire]

Hmmm the plot thickens...

I think this is the best strategy, make our own guys follow the law if you can't touch diplomats (with automatic weapons).

Indeed! Second that Asim Bhai.


The said person has trained and thus provided for recruitment security personnel many ex security service guys as agents for Kaala Paani.

The figures of such personnel maybe upto 400-600 people. Many getting daily salaries of 400 dollars!!!

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

@ Asim
Morever there should be constant vigilance and monetring of any such security firm. Atleast to avoid any kind of Showdown during the highlevel diplomatic movement ...

 

[RescueRanger]

What Nonsense, they have just made this cheap petty security firm a scapegoat to cover their own insecurity and inability to hold the right parties accountable. Just for the Fourm Members information Private Security Firms can keep weapons registered on their own Company NOC: No Objection Certificate and Provincial or Federal Security Company Licence as stated under Pakistani Law:

15. Possession by licensee of arms, ammunition, etc.– (1) A licensee may possess and keep arms, ammunition and other equipment which may be necessary for performance of functions of the Private Security Company in accordance with the law and rules made thereunder for possessing and keeping of arms and ammunition, and shall use and retain such number of arms, quantity of ammunition and type of equipment in such manner as may be prescribed.

(Please Note the here: term Licensee refers to the Chief Executive of the Security Company and the Security Company as a legal Entity. )

The Complete Text of this statute can be found here: Punjab Private Security Companies (Regulation and Control) Ordinance 2002


Also if anyone saw the footage on TV or the press the majority of weapons recoeverd were 12.Gauge Shotguns, .32 Cal Pistols and 222 Rifles. None were fully auto assualt rifles as sugested by the police department spokesperson (Rana Shahib).

Inter-Risk is a substandard Private Security Firm operating from within Islamabad and is run by a former Pakistan Army SSG Officer. The Said officer has gone into hiding following the raid but i can tell you with great surity that Inter-Risk has nothing to do with Blackwater, USAID, US DOS or XE.

Take a look at its shabby web-presence for a start: Inter-Risk Security Company.

This is nothing more then a cheap stunt to justify their inability to hold the right party accountable. Private Security companies in Pakistan are useless and hiring the services of these un-trained and under paid guards is in itself a security hazard.

To get a brief picture of the state of affairs of the Pakistani Private Security Field please read this article by dawn: DAWN.COM | Pakistan | Lapses in private security

Private Security Firms in Punjab and Karachi have more man-power then the combined man power of the respective police forces, these companies are only regulated on paper and not on ground. It is very important for the Government to focus on the "real" emerging threat of Talibanisation in Hazzara Division (Read: Attacks in Kohat, Mansehra). Furthermore to reduce the risk to the public it is stressed that the Government request all forieng missions and sensitive orginisations operating in residential areas to shift to the safer and purpose built "Diplomatic Enclave".

With Regards to Blackwater/Xe/Creataive Associates... I really dont know why some of our elite and pumped up analysts are focusing all their strategic foresight on a bunch of hasbeens wearing 511 Tacticals and toting some pretty toys. Please people lets look at the bigger picture of Talibanisation within the country and the growing silence of China during this entire affair... Fine the Americans residing in Pakistan are estimated to be 18,000 but we have a far larger number of Chinese living and working here... And for a country that values its 60+ years of friendship with us, it is quite silent and shy duing all this...

Where are our chinese friends???? Why have they not offered any assistance? No Protest regarding "growing" US presence in Pak? No assistance during the IDP Crisis!, No Assistance in Intel Sharing Regarding the ETIM: East Turkistan Islamic Movement's Mr. Haq and his presence in Pakistan, His rather worrying alligence with TTP and associated madmen, the sudden influx of Uyghur people into Baltistan and Gilgit ( Besham). Why is somone not asking these questions.

Oh and for the record, at least USAID actually helps the people of Pakistan with real aid such as food, education, shelter, medicine and not just empty slogans of friendship. Thank you AMERICA!