QUETTA: A joint security operation launched after a terrorist attack on police in Balochistan’s Ziarat district has concluded, with security forces killing 15 terrorists while nine police personnel were martyred during the operation, according to provincial authorities.
The operation was conducted in the Kuch Mangi Phase-III area by the Frontier Corps (FC), Balochistan Police, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), the Special Operations Wing and the Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF), Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said on Tuesday.
He said the operation was launched to eliminate terrorists from the area and rescue police personnel who had gone missing after the attack.
According to the spokesperson, nine police officials, including the station house officers (SHOs) of Mangi and Kawas police stations and ATF in-charge Head Constable Saifullah, embraced martyrdom while performing their duties.
The bodies of the martyred personnel are being shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Ziarat for post-mortem examinations and other legal formalities.
Rind said Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ghulam Sarwar and eight other police personnel who had gone missing following the attack safely reached Kach Police Station after making their way through difficult mountainous terrain. Another missing policeman, Constable Rizwan, was also recovered safely.
Paying tribute to the fallen officers, the provincial spokesperson reaffirmed the Balochistan government’s commitment to continue counterterrorism operations until militancy is completely eliminated from the province.
Security officials said intense exchanges of fire between terrorists and police had continued in the Mangi area since Sunday night before the joint operation succeeded in bringing the situation under control.
Prime Minister Condemns Attack
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Ziarat and paid tribute to the police personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
He also commended the security forces for successfully eliminating 15 terrorists during the operation.
“The attack by Fitna al-Khawarij once again demonstrates that these terrorists are enemies of Balochistan’s peace, development and prosperity. The sacrifices of our martyrs will never be forgotten, and those responsible for shedding their blood will be brought to justice,” the prime minister said.
He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to restore lasting peace in the province.
“We will not allow anyone to undermine peace in Balochistan. The operation against terrorists and enemies of the state will continue until they are completely defeated,” he added.
