ISLAMABAD: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry announced on Wednesday that Pakistani security forces had killed 54 terrorists during three major counterterrorism operations conducted across Balochistan over the past four days. He said that 42 civilians and members of the security forces were martyred in separate terrorist attacks during the same period.
Speaking at a press conference on the security situation in Balochistan, Lt Gen Chaudhry said the recent incidents were part of a coordinated campaign by terrorist groups operating with external support.
He alleged that the attacks were being backed by hostile forces linked to India, claiming that such elements were attempting to undermine Pakistan’s peace, stability, and development.
According to the military spokesperson, three major terrorist incidents have occurred in Balochistan since July 4.
The first attack took place during the night of July 4-5 in the Hanna Urak area, where militants identified by the government as members of Fitna al-Khawarij attacked local residents. He said the residents resisted the assault and forced the attackers to retreat. Four civilians were martyred while six others sustained injuries.
The second attack targeted a police checkpoint guarding Pumping Station No. 3 of Mangi Dam in Ziarat district. Lt Gen Chaudhry said nine police personnel embraced martyrdom after fighting off the attackers and killing 15 terrorists. Army and Frontier Corps reinforcements were immediately dispatched, but before they arrived, the militants took the remaining police personnel hostage. He added that security forces avoided using air power to protect the hostages.
Operations in the mountainous areas of Ziarat have continued since July 6. During the fighting, another 18 police personnel were martyred. Security forces have so far killed 11 additional terrorists, bringing the total number of militants eliminated in the Ziarat operation to 26.
The third incident occurred near Bela-Winder on the N-25 highway, where an Army convoy was attacked by militants belonging to the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which the government refers to as Fitna al-Hindustan.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said 11 soldiers, including one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and 10 soldiers, were martyred in the attack. Security forces responded by killing 14 BLA militants during the exchange of fire.
Summing up the recent operations, the DG ISPR said security forces had eliminated a total of 54 terrorists in the three operations, while 42 civilians and security personnel had sacrificed their lives in the latest wave of terrorist attacks and counterterrorism efforts.
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