Pakistan’s military spokesperson on Wednesday said security forces and law enforcement agencies killed 54 militants during multiple counterterrorism operations across Balochistan over the past four days, while 42 security personnel and civilians embraced martyrdom during three major terrorist attacks.
Rawalpindi, Pakistan – Web Desk: Addressing a media briefing on the security situation in Balochistan, Director General ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the attacks targeted innocent civilians, police personnel and security forces. He said operations against militants and their facilitators remain ongoing.
According to the DG ISPR, the first attack took place during the night of July 4 and 5 in the Hanna Urak area, where militants attacked local residents. He said members of the local community resisted the attackers with courage and forced them to retreat. During the incident, four civilians were martyred and six others were injured.
The second incident occurred on July 6 at a police checkpoint near the Mangi Dam pumping station. Militants launched an assault on the checkpoint, where police personnel fought back and killed 15 militants. Nine police officers were martyred during the initial fighting.
The military spokesperson said the attackers later took several police personnel hostage before security forces reached the area. Due to the presence of hostages, security forces conducted a carefully planned operation while encircling the militants in the mountains of Ziarat.
He said that as the operation intensified, the militants killed 18 hostage police personnel. Security forces have confirmed the killing of 11 additional militants during the engagement, while indicating the final militant death toll could be higher.
According to the DG ISPR, the total number of police personnel martyred in the Mangi checkpoint attack has reached 27, while 26 militants have been killed in connection with the incident.
The third terrorist attack took place on Wednesday in Bela, where security forces engaged militants belonging to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) during an operation targeting a military convoy.
The military said 14 militants were killed during the exchange of fire, while one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and 10 soldiers embraced martyrdom.
Separate intelligence-based operations were also conducted in Kharan and Dalbandin, where security forces killed six militants in Kharan and eight militants in Dalbandin.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said a total of 54 militants have been killed during ongoing operations over the past four days, adding that efforts to eliminate militants and their facilitators will continue.
The DG ISPR also alleged that India is involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan, claiming that hostile elements, in coordination with the Afghan Taliban regime, are attempting to destabilize the country and hinder development in Balochistan.
He reiterated the military’s commitment to defeating terrorism, saying Pakistan’s security forces would continue operations until every militant and facilitator is brought to justice.
