37 terrorists killed and 10 security personnel martyred as attacks thwarted across Balochistan

QUETA:

At least 37 terrorists were killed and 10 security personnel martyred after security forces foiled coordinated attacks at 12 locations in Balochistan overnight, security officials said on Saturday.

“Terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan – the term the civil and military authorities use for Balochistan terrorists – carried out cowardly attacks at 12 different locations in Balochistan last night,” security sources said. They added that timely and effective action by security forces and other law enforcement agencies thwarted all attacks.

Security sources said 37 terrorists had been killed so far, while 10 soldiers and police were martyred “while fighting to protect the land and its people.” Pursuit and engagement operations were continuing at several places, with reports of more casualties and losses of militants, sources said.

Officials said law enforcement agencies had already killed 41 terrorists linked to the same group in separate operations across Balochistan over the past 48 hours.

Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said in a post on

Meanwhile, armed attacks, firing and explosions were reported in several parts of the province, including Quetta. Police said gunmen attacked a police mobile unit on Sariab Road in Quetta, killing two policemen and wounding three others. The injured were taken to a nearby hospital. The police vehicle caught fire after the attack, which was later brought under control by firefighters.

An explosion near Hockey Chowk in the Red Zone injured two people, who were also taken to hospital. Following the incidents, authorities sealed off parts of the Red Zone, while activities at the Civil Secretariat, courts and some government offices were temporarily suspended.

Authorities said gunmen also attacked the Khaliq Shaheed police station in the Eastern Bypass area, with reports of casualties. Videos of an attack on Sheikh Zayed Hospital on the Quetta-Karachi highway circulated on social media. Gunmen also attacked private banks in Hazarganji and entered a private school on Zarghoon Road, authorities said.

Gunshots were reported on several major roads, including Sariab Road, Qambrani Road and Zarghoon Road, as security forces exchanged fire with the attackers. Security checkpoints were set up at the entry and exit points of Quetta, and residents were advised to avoid unnecessary movements.

Mobile data services were suspended in Quetta, while internet services were temporarily shut down in other parts of Balochistan due to the security situation. Emergency measures were imposed in government hospitals across the province, including Quetta Civil Hospital, BMC Hospital and trauma centres.

Security officials said attacks were attempted in Quetta, Noshki, Dalbandin, Kalat, Gwadar, Pasni, Tump and Mastung. Clearance operations were continuing in the affected areas and several terrorists were reported dead.

In Mastung, Kalat and Pasni, terrorists attempted to attack government buildings and security facilities. In Mastung, gunfire and explosions wounded several people, including a police officer, while attackers freed more than 30 prisoners from the central jail, authorities said. Clashes were also reported near the DC headquarters and police lines in Kalat.

In Noshki, gunmen kidnapped Deputy Commissioner Hussain Hazara along with his family, and later released a video of the kidnapped official. In Pasni, a Coast Guard post was attacked, which security forces repelled, killing eight terrorists in retaliation, authorities said.

Authorities closed the Quetta-Sibi Expressway at Bolan to traffic, closed the Quetta-Karachi-Taftan Expressway at Lak Pass and blocked the Qila Saifullah-Rakhni Highway. In Nasirabad, security forces defused explosive material placed on a railway track.

Shahid Rind said the terrorists tried to attack at some places but were repulsed, adding that the situation was under control. Provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar visited hospitals and ordered authorities to provide the best possible medical care to the injured, urging the public to avoid unnecessary crowds.

Authorities said the security situation was being continuously monitored and all necessary measures were being taken to protect the public.