Quetta (ISPR/APP) Security forces killed at least 92 terrorists during clearance operations in Balochistan after India-backed terrorists launched coordinated attacks across several districts on Saturday, leaving 18 civilians and 15 security personnel martyred, according to the military’s media wing.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that terrorists belonging to India-sponsored Fitna al-Hindustan (FAH) carried out multiple attacks on January 31, targeting civilians around Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni.
“Terrorists maliciously targeted 18 innocent civilians (including women, children, elderly and labourers) who embraced shahadat,” read the military’s media wing statement.
The statement said the attacks targeted innocent civilians in Gwadar and Kharan and were intended to disrupt daily life and development in Balochistan.
Security forces and law enforcement agencies responded immediately and launched intense clearance operations across the province, killing 92 India-backed terrorists, including three suicide bombers.
The ISPR stated that security forces “successfully thwarted the evil design of terrorists displaying unwavering courage and professional excellence”.”Our valiant troops carried out engagement of terrorists with precision,” the statement added.
However, 15 security personnel embraced martyrdom, having fought gallantly during clearance operations and intense standoffs, it added.Security forces then launched sanitisation operations in the affected areas to bring to justice the instigators, perpetrators, facilitators and abettors of the attacks, targeting civilians and LEAs.
“Intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed that the attacks were orchestrated and directed by terrorists ring leaders operating from outside Pakistan, who were in direct communication with the terrorists throughout the incident,” the ISPR stated.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, speaking alongside Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, said the operation against militants was “almost complete,” with details yet to come.CM Bugti said that the civilian casualties in the terrorist attacks included a Baloch family from Khuzdar.
“Security forces, police and FC repelled the attacks with courage. The militants attempted to boost their morale by attempting such a wide-scale operation,” he said.
However, he maintained that the lethality of the attack was much lower due to the security forces’ response.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while praising the security forces for foiling the terrorist attacks, paid homage to the 10 martyred personnel, saying the entire nation is proud of them.
“We will continue the fight against the menace of terrorism until it is completely eradicated,” the premier remarked.
He stressed that the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan’s armed forces in their determination to protect the homeland.
While condemning the deadly attacks, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the security forces and LEAs for foiling the attacks.”I salute the brave sons who thwarted the evil intentions of the terrorists,” he said.
Paying homage to the 10 martyrs who sacrificed their lives while foiling the attacks, the security czar said that the nation is proud of its brave sons, and the soldiers who sacrificed their lives are its heroes.”The great sacrifices of the martyrs will always be remembered,” he added.
Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti that the attacks have been foiled via a joint effort by the police and FC and said: “These attacks cannot end our resolve against terrorism”.