92 terrorists killed as troops fight attacks in Balochistan; 15 security personnel, 18 civilians were also martyred
Security personnel inspect the blast site in Quetta. Photo: AFP
RAWALPINDI:
92 terrorists were killed as security forces battled a series of coordinated attacks in several places in Balochistan on Saturday, while 15 security personnel also embraced martyrdom in battle, 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, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said 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 an umbrella term used by officials for outlawed Baloch terrorist groups
A total of 18 civilians were also martyred in the latest attacks.
“On [the] on the orders of their foreign masters, these cowardly acts of terrorism were aimed at disrupting the lives of local people and development in Balochistan by attacking innocent civilians in Gwadar and Kharan districts, where terrorists maliciously targeted eighteen innocent civilians (including women, children, elderly and workers) who embraced the ISPR martyrdom.
It noted that security forces and law enforcement agencies immediately responded and successfully thwarted the “evil designs of terrorists” by displaying “unflinching courage and professional expertise”.
“Our brave troops carried out engagement with terrorists with precision and after prolonged, intense and daring clearance operation across Balochistan, they sent 92 terrorists, including three suicide bombers to hell, to ensure safety and protection of local people.”
The ISPR added that during the clearance operations and intense fighting, “15 brave sons of the soil, after fighting gallantly, made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom”.
It further said that disinfection operations in these areas were being carried out continuously and vowed to bring to justice the instigators, perpetrators, facilitators and supporters 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 terrorist ringleaders operating 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 in the ongoing operations in Balochistan over the past two days has risen to 133 after 41 terrorists from “Fitna al-Hindustan” and “Fitna al-Khwarij” were neutralized in Panjgur and Harnia on Friday.
“Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorist found in the area. Relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ (as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full speed to wipe out the menace of the foreign terrorism supported by the ISPR-sponsored country.”
Security sources earlier said that five members of a Baloch labor 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 Malazi 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 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. The fighting is still going on in several places and further 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 car caught fire after 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 precautionary measure.
Terrorists later attacked Khaliq Shaheed Police Station in 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 attacked 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 several 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 put in place at public hospitals across the province.
In Mastung, Kalat and Pasni, terrorists attempted to attack 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 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 guard post came under attack but security forces successfully repelled the attack, 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 material planted on a railway track.
Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the attacks would not “break our resolve against terrorism,” and vowed that the terrorists would be hunted down until the last one was eliminated.
Banned separatist terror 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 act as proxies for India, which wants to destabilize Pakistan through hybrid warfare. The BLA’s suicide wing, the Majeed Brigade, has developed a link with other anti-Pakistan terrorists operating from Afghanistan, according to officials.
Security sources claimed that Indian media and India-linked social media accounts have gone into overdrive in open 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 the 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 thwarting infiltration attempts by terrorists in several 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, protection of citizens and national unity,” he added. “The state will continue to act with full force and unity against externally supported hostile elements and their facilitators.”
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 15 security personnel who were martyred during the operations, saying they had given their lives while prioritizing the defense of the country. “I, along with the entire nation, am proud of our martyrs,” he said.
The prime minister said the 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 the News Desk)
