37 terrorists killed, 10 security personnel martyred as attack foiled in Balochistan

QUETTA:

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

“Terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan – which the civil and military authorities use for Balochistan terrorists – carried out dastardly 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 foiled all the attacks.

Security sources said 37 terrorists had been killed so far, while 10 soldiers and policemen were martyred “while fighting to protect the country and its people”. Pursuit and engagement operations continued at several places with reports of additional militant casualties and casualties, the sources said.

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

Balochistan government spokesman Shahid Rind said in a post on X: “After more than 70 terrorists were killed in various places in Balochistan in the last two days, terrorists attempted attacks in a few places in the province, which police and FC foiled through timely action. Hunt for fleeing terrorists is on. Further details will be shared soon.”

Meanwhile, armed attacks, gunfire 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 injuring three others. The injured were shifted 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.

Officials said gunmen also attacked 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 road circulated on social media. Gunmen also attacked private banks in Hazarganji and entered a private school on Zarghoon Road, officials said.

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

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

Security officials said attempts were made to carry out attacks in Quetta, Noshki, Dalbandin, Kalat, Gwadar, Pasni, Tump and Mastung. Clearing operations continued in the affected areas, with reports of several terrorists killed.

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

In Noshki, gunmen abducted Deputy Commissioner Hussain Hazara along with his family and later released a video of the kidnapped official. In Pasni, a Coast Guard post came under attack which security forces repelled, killing eight terrorists in retaliatory fire, officials said.

Authorities closed the Quetta-Sibi highway at Bolan to all traffic, closed 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.

Shahid Rind said terrorists attempted attacks at a few places but were pushed back, adding that the situation was under control. Provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar visited hospitals and directed the authorities to provide immediate and best possible medical care to the injured and urged the public to avoid unnecessary crowding.

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