RAWALPINDI:
The military claimed on Wednesday to have eliminated five terrorists linked to the “Indian proxy network Fitna al Hindustan” during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Khuzdar district of the volatile Balochistan province.
The state has designated Balochistan-based groups as Fitna-al-Hindustan to highlight India’s role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.
The IBO was launched on the night between September 14 and 15 following reports of terrorists’ presence in the area, the military’s media wing said in a statement. “During the conduct of the operation, own forces effectively engaged the terrorists’ location, and after an intense fire exchange, five Indian-sponsored terrorists were sent to hell,” it added.
Weapons, ammunition and explosives were recovered from the slain terrorists, who had been “actively involved in numerous terrorist activities” in the region. The ISPR stated that a sanitisation operation was ongoing to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area.
“Security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country, and reaffirm the nation’s unwavering resolve to bring the perpetrators of terrorism to justice,” the ISPR stated.
The operation came after five security personnel, including a captain, were martyred in an explosion in Balochistan’s Kech district on Monday.
Landmine explosion
At least three people, including a woman and a child, were killed and six others injured in two consecutive landmine explosions near Lanjo Saghari, situated close to the Balochistan-Sindh border in Sui tehsil.
Security sources reported that the victims were on their way when the powerful blasts struck.
The deceased were identified as Ali Jat, his young daughter, and another woman. Most of the injuredbelonging to the Dinari tribe and largely women – were rushed to Indus Hospital Sui by Levies personnel who reached the spot shortly after the incident.
Eyewitnesses and local residents described the scenes of devastation, with families left shattered and children among the casualties.
Terrorist attacks in Bannu
Police have foiled a terrorist attack on Miryan police station and Mazangah check post late Tuesday night.
Bannu’s Regional Police Officer Sajjad Khan told media that terrorists launched heavy-weapon attacks late Tuesday night on Miryan police station and Mazangah check post. However, due to the timely and effective response by police, both attacks were repulsed and the terrorists were forced to flee.
He said the terrorists attacked Miryan police station from all sides in large numbers, but were forced to escape as a result of a strong police counteraction.
After the attack on the Miryan police station, the terrorists also targeted Mazangah police check post but had to retreat due to police’s retaliatory fire.
The terrorists used rocket launchers and other heavy weapons in both attacks. Reports indicated that the outlaws suffered heavy losses due to the police’s effective response.
During the operation, four police officers sustained minor injuries and were provided with immediate medical assistance.
(With additional input from our correspondents in Quetta and Bannu)
