92 terrorists killed as troops fight off attacks in Balochistan; 15 security agents and 18 civilians also martyred
Security personnel inspect the blast site in Quetta. Photo: AFP
RAWALPINDI:
Ninety-two terrorists were killed as security forces fought a series of coordinated attacks in multiple locations in Balochistan on Saturday, while 15 security personnel also embraced martyrdom in combat, according to the army’s media wing. With the latest deaths, the number of terrorists killed in the last two days has risen to 133.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Indian-sponsored ‘Fitna al Hindustan’ terrorists carried out attacks around Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni.
Fitna al-Hindustan is a general term used by officials to refer to illegal Baloch terrorist groups.
A total of 18 civilians were also killed in the latest attacks.
“In [the] “On the orders of their foreign masters, these dastardly acts of terrorism were aimed at disrupting the lives of the local people and the development of Balochistan by attacking innocent civilians in Gwadar and Kharan districts, where the terrorists maliciously attacked eighteen innocent civilians (including women, children, elderly and workers) who embraced martyrdom,” the ISPR said.
He noted that security forces and law enforcement agencies responded immediately and successfully thwarted the “evil design of the terrorists” by displaying “unwavering courage and professional excellence.”
“Our brave troops engaged the terrorists with precision and after a prolonged, intense and daring clearance operation across Balochistan, they sent ninety-two terrorists, including three suicide bombers, to hell, ensuring the safety and security of the local population.”
The ISPR added that during the clearance operations and intense clashes, “15 brave sons of the soil, having fought valiantly, made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom.”
He further said that remediation operations were continuously being carried out in these areas, vowing to bring to justice the instigators, perpetrators, enablers and accomplices of the “heinous and cowardly acts” targeting innocent civilians and law enforcement personnel.
“Intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed that the attacks were orchestrated and directed by leaders of terrorist networks operating from outside Pakistan, who were in direct communication with the terrorists throughout the incident,” the statement said.
According to the ISPR, the total number of terrorists killed in the ongoing operations in Balochistan during the last two days rose to 133 after 41 terrorists from “Fitna al-Hindustan” and “Fitna al-Khwarij” were neutralized in Panjgur and Harnia on Friday.
“Remediation operations are being carried out to eliminate any other Indian sponsored terrorists found in the area. The relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ vision (approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Pakistan’s security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue in full swing to eliminate the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the ISPR concluded.
Security sources earlier said that five members of a family of Baloch laborers from Khuzdar, including a woman and three children, were killed by terrorists in Gwadar.
BBC Urdu also reported, citing local police, that seven people, including Mir Shahid Gul Malazi, president of the Malazi National Alliance, were killed in an attack on his house in Kharan district. Police said the attackers also set fire to his house and car.
Security sources said the fleeing attackers are believed to have suffered further casualties as troops continue to pursue them to their mountain hideouts, keeping close tabs on them. Fighting continues in several locations and more details are expected soon.
Sharing details of the attacks in the provincial capital, police said heavily armed terrorists attacked a police mobile unit on Sariab Road, killing two policemen and injuring three others. The vehicle caught fire after the attack.
Two men were also injured in an explosion near Hockey Chowk in the Red Zone, which was later sealed. Work in the Civil Secretariat, courts and several government offices were temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure.
Subsequently, terrorists attacked Khaliq Shaheed Police Station in the Eastern Ring Road area, with reports of casualties. Videos circulating on social media show an attack on Sheikh Zayed Hospital on the Quetta-Karachi highway. Gunmen also attacked private banks in Hazarganji and briefly entered a private school on Zarghoon Road, police said.
Gunshots were reported on several major arteries, including Sariab Road, Qambrani Road and Zarghoon Road, as security forces clashed with terrorists in multiple gunfights. Security checkpoints were set up at the entry and exit points of Quetta and residents were advised to avoid unnecessary travel.
Mobile data services were suspended in Quetta, while internet services were temporarily shut down in other parts of Balochistan. Emergency measures were imposed in government hospitals across the province.
In Mastung, Kalat and Pasni, terrorists attempted to attack government buildings and security facilities. Several people were injured in gun and bomb attacks in Mastung, where terrorists also freed more than 30 prisoners from the Central Jail. Clashes were reported near the DC headquarters and police lines in Kalat.
In Noshki, terrorists kidnapped Deputy Commissioner Hussain Hazara along with his family and later released a video showing the official in captivity. In Pasni, a Coast Guard post was attacked but security forces successfully repelled the attack, officials said.
Authorities closed the Quetta-Sibi Expressway at Bolan, 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.
Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the attacks would not “break our resolve against terrorism”, and promised that terrorists would be hunted down until the last one was eliminated.
The banned separatist terrorist group Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attacks in a social media post, describing the coordinated assault as the second phase of “Operation Heroof”.
The BLA and other Baloch groups have been officially designated as “Fitna al Hindustan” as the government claims they are acting as proxies for India, which wants to destabilize Pakistan through hybrid warfare. According to officials, the BLA’s suicide wing, the Majeed Brigade, has developed a nexus with other anti-Pakistan terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan.
Security sources claimed that Indian media and social media accounts linked to India have revved up in blatant support for Fitna al Hindustan during the synchronized attacks. They said this coordination further highlighted a close link between Baloch groups and hostile information campaigns.
Condemnation
President Asif Ali Zardari praised security forces for what he called effective operations against threats to peace in Balochistan. The president praised the armed forces and law enforcement agencies for their “professional competence” in thwarting infiltration attempts by terrorists in multiple locations, according to a statement issued by the Presidency.
He paid tribute to the security personnel and innocent civilians who lost their lives during the operations. “There will be no compromise on peace in Balochistan, protection of citizens and national unity,” he added. “The State will continue to act with full force and unity against externally backed hostile elements and their enablers.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised security forces for thwarting what he described as organized attacks aimed at destabilizing peace in Balochistan, according to a statement issued by his office.
He paid tribute to the 15 security personnel who were martyred during the operations, saying they had given their lives prioritizing the defense of the country. “I, along with the entire nation, am proud of our martyrs,” he said.
The prime minister said security forces continue to defend the country without regard for their own lives and vowed to continue the fight until terrorism is completely eliminated. “In this unwavering determination to protect the motherland, the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces of Pakistan,” he said.
(With additional contributions from News Desk)
