ISLAMABAD, Feb 05 ( Alliance News): Security forces completed the clearance operation launched after terrorist attacks in Panjgur and Noshki areas of Balochistan where 20 terrorists were killed.
A statement issued by the Pakistan Army Public Relations (ISPR) said that 20 terrorists were killed and nine security personnel were martyred during the clearance operation after the attacks.
The statement said that both the attacks were successfully repulsed by the security forces in both the places.
ISPR said that 9 terrorists were killed in Noshki during the exchange of fire with the terrorists while 4 security personnel including an officer were martyred.
The statement said that security forces in Panjgur foiled the terrorist attack after a fierce exchange of fire and some of the terrorists had escaped.
It was further reported that the security forces conducted a clearance operation to find the terrorists hiding in the area and initially 4 terrorists who had fled were killed and several terrorists were rounded up the next day.
“Today (Saturday) the besieged terrorists were killed during the operation for not surrendering,” the ISPR said.
The statement said that during the 72-hour clearance operation in Panjgur, five military personnel including a junior commissioned officer were martyred and six others were injured.
Referring to the operation, he said that three terrorists including two very important targets involved in the attacks were killed on Friday in Balgatar area of Ketch district.
The terrorists were killed at their hideouts after a clearance operation.
“Our security forces are committed to eradicating the scourge of terrorism from our soil at any cost,” the ISPR said.
Earlier, the ISPR said that the intelligence had traced the conversation between the terrorists who had carried out the attacks in Balochistan and their facilitators were present in Afghanistan and India.
The banned terrorist organization Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attacks in Noshki and Panjgur.
It may be recalled that two days ago, the ISPR had said in a statement that 3 soldiers and an officer were martyred during the line of duty in Noshki while 4 soldiers were injured and 3 sacrificed their lives in the battle in Panjgur.
Security forces said five militants were killed in Noshki while four terrorists, who were trying to flee the area in Panjgur, were surrounded and killed, while four terrorists were also killed on Wednesday night.
On the other hand, the Home Minister had said in a video message released on Twitter that 9 terrorists were killed and 4 soldiers were martyred in Noshki, while 6 terrorists were killed in Panjgur attack.
On the other hand, Ziaullah Langu, Advisor to the Chief Minister Balochistan on Home and Tribal Affairs, while addressing a press conference, said that the security forces had completed their operation in Noshki but the operation was still going on in Panjgur Bazaar area.
He had said that the market would remain closed due to the ongoing operation while the local administration of Panjgur had asked the residents of the area not to leave their homes till further orders.
He said that 15 terrorists were killed and at least 12 security personnel were martyred while 23 soldiers were injured in the clashes between security forces and terrorists in Noshki and Panjgur.