92 terrorists killed as troops fought off assaults in Balochistan; 15 security personnel, 18 civilians also martyred
Security personnel inspect the blast site in Quetta. Photo: AFP
RAWALPINDI:
Ninety-two terrorists were killed as security forces fought off a series of coordinated attacks at multiple locations across Balochistan on Saturday, while 15 security personnel also embraced martyrdom in combat, according to the military’s media wing. With the latest fatalities, the number of terrorists killed over the past two days has risen to 133.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that terrorists of Indian-sponsored “Fitna al Hindustan” carried out attacks around Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni.
Fitna al-Hindustan is a blanket term used by officials for outlawed Baloch terrorist groups
A total of 18 civilians were also martyred in the latest attacks.
“On [the] behest of their foreign masters, these cowardly acts of terrorism were aimed at disrupting the lives of local populace and development of Balochistan by targeting innocent civilians in District Gwadar and Kharan, wherein, terrorists maliciously targeted eighteen innocent civilians (including women, children, elderly and labours) who embraced martyrdom,” the ISPR said.
It noted that security forces and law enforcement agencies immediately responded and successfully thwarted the “evil design of terrorists” by displaying “unwavering courage and professional excellence”.
“Our valiant troops carried out engagement of terrorists with precision and after prolong, intense and daring clearance operation across Balochistan, sent ninety-two terrorists including three suicide bombers to hell, ensuring security and protection of local populace.”
The ISPR added that during the clearance operations and intense standoffs, “15 brave sons of soil, having fought gallantly, made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom”.
It further said that sanitisation operations in these areas were being continuously conducted, vowing to bring the instigators, perpetrators, facilitators and abettors of the “heinous and cowardly acts” targeting innocent civilians and personnel of law enforcement agencies personals to justice.
“Intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed that the attacks were orchestrated and directed by terrorists ring leaders operating from outside Pakistan, who were in direct communication with the terrorists throughout the incident,” the statement noted.
According to the ISPR, the total number of terrorists killed in the ongoing operations in Balochistan during the past two days has risen to 133 after 41 terrorists of “Fitna al-Hindustan” and “Fitna al-Khwarij” were neutralised in Panjgur and Harnia on Friday.
“Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorist found in the area. Relentless counterterrorism campaign under vision ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the ISPR concluded.
Security sources earlier said that five members of a Baloch labourer family from Khuzdar, including a woman and three children, were killed by terrorists in Gwadar.
BBC Urdu also reported, quoting local police, that seven people, including Mir Shahid Gul Malazi, chairman of the Malazi National Alliance, were killed in an attack on his house in Kharan district. Police said that his house and car were also set on fire by attackers.
Security sources said the fleeing attackers are believed to have suffered more casualties, as troops continue to pursue them into their mountainous hideouts, keeping close on their heels. Fighting is still ongoing at several locations, with further details expected soon.
Sharing details of the attacks in the provincial capital, police said heavily armed terrorists targeted a police mobile unit on Sariab Road, killing two policemen and injuring three others. The vehicle caught fire following the attack.
Two men were also injured in a blast near Hockey Chowk in the Red Zone, which was subsequently sealed. Work at the Civil Secretariat, courts, and several government offices was temporarily suspended as a precaution.
Terrorists later attacked the Khaliq Shaheed police station in the Eastern Bypass area, with reports of casualties. Videos circulating on social media showed an attack on Sheikh Zayed Hospital along the Quetta-Karachi road. Gunmen also targeted private banks in Hazarganji and briefly entered a private school on Zarghoon Road, police said.
Firing was reported on several major arteries, including Sariab Road, Qambrani Road and Zarghoon Road, as security forces engaged terrorists in multiple firefights. Security checkpoints were established at Quetta’s entry and exit points, and residents were advised to avoid unnecessary travel.
Mobile data services were suspended in Quetta, while internet services were temporarily shut down in some other parts of Balochistan. Emergency measures were imposed at government hospitals across the province.
In Mastung, Kalat and Pasni, terrorists attempted to target government buildings and security installations. 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 abducted Deputy Commissioner Hussain Hazara along with his family and later released a video showing the official in captivity. In Pasni, a Coast Guards post came under attack but security forces successfully repelled the assault, officials said.
Authorities closed the Quetta-Sibi highway at Bolan, shut the Quetta-Karachi-Taftan highway at Lak Pass, and blocked the Qila Saifullah-Rakhni road. In Nasirabad, security forces defused explosive material planted on a railway track.
Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the attacks would not “break our resolve against terrorism,” vowing that the 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 of India, which wants to destabilise Pakistan through hybrid warfare. BLA’s suicide wing, the Majeed Brigade, has developed a nexus with other anti-Pakistan terrorist outfits operating out of Afghanistan, according to officials.
Security sources claimed that Indian media outlets and India-linked social media accounts have gone into overdrive in blatant support for Fitna al Hindustan during the synchronised attacks. They said this coordination further highlighted a close nexus 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 commended the armed forces and law enforcement agencies for their “professional competence” in foiling infiltration attempts by terrorists at multiple locations, according to a statement issued by the Presidency.
He paid tribute to security personnel and innocent civilians who lost their lives during the operations. “There will be no compromise on peace in Balochistan, the protection of citizens and national unity,” he added. “The state will continue to act with full strength and unity against externally backed hostile elements and their facilitators.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised security forces for thwarting what he described as organised attacks aimed at destabilising peace in Balochistan, according to a statement issued by his office.
He paid tribute to 15 security personnel who were martyred during the operations, saying they had given their lives while prioritising the defence 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 was completely eliminated. “In this unwavering resolve to protect the homeland, the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan armed forces,” he said.
(With additional input from News Desk)
