92 terrorists killed as troops fought off assaults in Balochistan; 15 security personnel and 18 civilians were also martyred
Security personnel inspect the blast site in Quetta. Photo: AFP
RAWALPINDI:
Ninety-two terrorists were killed on Saturday as security forces repelled a series of coordinated attacks in several places in Balochistan, 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 stands at 133.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that 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 authorities to refer to banned Baloch terrorist groups
A total of 18 civilians were also killed in the latest attacks.
“On [the] “At the behest of their foreign masters, these cowardly acts of terrorism aimed to disrupt the lives of the local people and the development of Balochistan by targeting innocent civilians in Gwadar and Kharan districts, where the terrorists maliciously targeted eighteen innocent civilians (including women, children, elderly and workers) who embraced martyrdom,” the ISPR said.
He noted that security forces and law enforcement officers responded immediately and successfully thwarted the “evil designs of the terrorists” by displaying “unwavering courage and professional excellence.”
“Our gallant troops engaged the terrorists with precision and after a prolonged, intense and daring clearing operation across Balochistan, sent ninety-two terrorists, including three suicide bombers, to hell, ensuring safety and protection of the local population.”
The ISPR added that during the clearance operations and intense clashes, “15 brave sons of the soil, after fighting valiantly, made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom.”
He added that disinfection operations in these areas were being carried out continuously, with the aim of bringing to justice the instigators, perpetrators, facilitators 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 ISPR, the total number of terrorists killed during the ongoing operations in Balochistan over the last two days increased to 133 after 41 terrorists of ‘Fitna al-Hindustan’ and ‘Fitna al-Khwarij’ were neutralized in Panjgur and Harnia on Friday.
“Disinfection operations are being carried out to eliminate any further Indian-sponsored terrorists found in the region. The relentless counter-terrorism campaign being carried out under the ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ vision (as approved by the Supreme Federal Committee on National Action Plan) by the security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan 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 Baloch laborer family 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, chairman of the Malayan National Alliance, were killed in an attack on his house in Kharan district. Police said his house and car were also set on fire by the attackers.
Security sources said the fleeing attackers are believed to have suffered more casualties as troops continue to pursue them into their mountainous hideouts, close on their heels. 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 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 later sealed. Work in the Civil Secretariat, courts and several government offices has been temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure.
Terrorists then attacked Khaliq Shaheed police station in the Eastern Bypass Zone, causing 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 thoroughfares, including Sariab Road, Qambrani Road and Zarghoon Road, as security forces engaged terrorists in multiple exchanges of fire. Security checkpoints have been established at entry and exit points of Quetta, and residents have been 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 have been 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 prison. 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 managed to repel the assault, officials said.
Authorities closed the Quetta-Sibi highway at Bolan, closed the Quetta-Karachi-Taftan highway at Lak Pass and blocked the Qila Saifullah-Rakhni road. In Nasirabad, security forces defused explosive materials placed on a railway track.
Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the attacks would “not break our resolve against terrorism”, promising 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 referred to as “Fitna al Hindustan” because the government claims they act as proxies for India, which wants to destabilize Pakistan through hybrid warfare. The BLA’s suicide wing, the Majeed Brigade, has developed a nexus with other anti-Pakistan terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan, according to officials.
Security sources claimed that Indian media and India-linked social media accounts mushroomed in open support of Fitna al Hindustan during the synchronized attacks. They said this coordination highlighted a close connection between Baloch groups and hostile information campaigns.
Conviction
President Asif Ali Zardari has praised security forces for what he termed effective operations against threats to peace in Balochistan. The president congratulated the armed forces and law enforcement for their “professional competence” in thwarting terrorist infiltration attempts in several places, according to a press release 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, protection of citizens and national unity,” he added. “The State will continue to act with all its strength and unity against externally supported hostile elements and their enablers.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised security forces for foiling 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 members of the security forces who were martyred during the operations, saying they gave their lives giving priority to the defense of the country. “I am proud, like the whole nation, of our martyrs,” he declared.
The prime minister said security forces continue to defend the country without worrying about their own lives and vowed to continue the fight until terrorism is completely eliminated. “In this unwavering resolve to protect the motherland, the entire nation stands with the Pakistani armed forces,” he said.
(With additional input from News Desk)
