ISLAMABAD: State-run Pakistan Television (PTV), citing security sources, reported on Saturday that nine more terrorists had been killed during the ongoing Operation Shaban in Balochistan, raising the total number of terrorists eliminated since July 5 to 88.
According to PTV, Operation Shaban is continuing across Balochistan as the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and police intensify coordinated air and ground operations against terrorist hideouts.
Security sources said the latest action resulted in the killing of nine terrorists, bringing the number eliminated specifically under Operation Shaban to 52. They added that the overall number of terrorists killed since July 5, including those eliminated in intelligence-based operations, had reached 88.
The sources further stated that the operation would continue until the last terrorist was eliminated.
On Friday, security sources had said that the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and police had been carrying out a joint operation in Quetta district’s Shaban area since July 5 against terrorists involved in the attack on the Mangi Dam pumping station police post.
During that attack, terrorists killed 27 police personnel. They initially martyred nine policemen, including two station house officers (SHOs), and abducted 18 others at gunpoint. The abducted officers were later killed, and their bodies were recovered from the Zarghoon Gar mountainous area.
Earlier, state-run Radio Pakistan had reported that 79 terrorists had been killed across Balochistan since July 5.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the Pakistan Army, Balochistan Frontier Corps and police for eliminating nine more terrorists during Operation Shaban. He praised the forces for their unwavering resolve and bravery, saying they had successfully foiled the enemy’s nefarious designs.
Naqvi said the sacrifices and achievements of the security forces in restoring peace in Balochistan would remain a golden chapter in the country’s history. He also described terrorists as a burden on the nation and asserted that the enemies of peace would have no place to hide anywhere.
Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister’s Adviser on Information and Political Affairs, Shahid Rind, announced that on the directions of Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, Rs11.1 million had been approved as compensation for the families of those martyred in the Mangi Dam attack.
Rind said all administrative and financial formalities for the compensation had been completed on a fast-track basis under the chief minister’s special instructions.
He added that the Balochistan government would continue supporting the families of the martyrs, ensure their welfare and bear all educational expenses of the martyrs’ children.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the country’s civil and military leadership had reached a unified decision to eliminate terrorism following a series of major terrorist attacks in Balochistan.
The prime minister made the remarks while chairing a meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee on the National Action Plan in Quetta. The meeting was also attended by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Addressing the meeting, PM Shehbaz said the civil and military leadership had jointly resolved to eradicate terrorism through collective efforts.
According to the military’s spokesperson, at least 42 people — including four civilians, 27 police personnel and 11 members of the security forces — have lost their lives in the terrorist attacks and subsequent security operations carried out since July 5.