ISLAMABAD, (Alliance News): Pakistan’s military on Wednesday vowed to pursue every terrorist and their facilitators following a series of attacks in Balochistan, saying security forces had killed 54 militants while 42 people, including security personnel and civilians, were martyred during recent operations.
Addressing a press conference, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said three major terrorist incidents occurred in Balochistan over the past four days, targeting civilians, police and security forces.
He said the first attack took place in Hanna Urak on the night of July 4-5, where armed militants attacked local residents. According to the military spokesperson, local people resisted the assault, forcing the attackers to flee. Four civilians were martyred and six others sustained injuries.
The second incident occurred on July 6 when militants attacked a police checkpoint near the Mangi Dam pumping station. Police personnel resisted the attack, killing 15 militants during the initial exchange of fire. However, nine policemen were martyred before the attackers took several officers hostage.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said security forces launched a carefully planned operation to rescue the hostages while surrounding the militants in the Ziarat area. During the operation, the attackers killed 18 hostage police personnel. Security forces later neutralised additional militants, bringing the total number of terrorists killed in the operation to 26.
The third incident occurred in Bela, where an army convoy came under attack. Security forces responded by killing 14 militants, while one junior commissioned officer (JCO) and 10 soldiers embraced martyrdom.
The military also conducted separate intelligence-based operations in Kharan and Dalbandin, eliminating six militants in Kharan and eight in Dalbandin.
The ISPR DG said that, overall, 54 militants had been killed, while 42 people, including 38 security personnel and four civilians, lost their lives during the recent wave of attacks.
Reaffirming the military’s resolve, Lt Gen Chaudhry said security forces would continue operations until every terrorist and their facilitators were brought to justice.
“We will hunt down every terrorist and all their facilitators,” he said.
The military spokesperson also alleged that Afghan territory was being used by militant groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan. Referring to a recent attack on a Rangers camp in Karachi, he claimed that three of the four attackers were Afghan nationals.
He added that the state had made it clear that militant groups operating under the names “Fitna al-Hindustan” and “Fitna al-Khawarij” did not represent the people of Balochistan or the teachings of Islam.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said Pakistan would continue taking all necessary measures to combat terrorism and ensure national security, adding that the country’s armed forces, law enforcement agencies and citizens remained united in the fight against terrorism.
