21 terrorists killed, six personnel martyred during Customs House attack in Balochistan: ISPR

ISLAMABAD: Security forces killed 21 terrorists in separate operations in Chagai and Pishin districts of Balochistan, while six personnel, including two officers and a Customs official, were martyred during an attack on a Customs House, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were conducted during the night of August 31 and September 1 in Nokcha area of Chagai district and Ziarat Cross in Pishin district.

The military said that the terrorists belonged to Indian-sponsored proxies of “Fitna al-Hindustan” and “Fitna al-Khawarij”.

In the first incident on August 31, terrorists affiliated with “Fitna al-Hindustan” attempted to disrupt the movement of commuters on the N-40 Quetta-Taftan Highway by setting up an illegal checkpoint for extortion, according to the ISPR.

“Security forces responded immediately and, after an intense fire exchange, killed eleven terrorists on the spot,” the ISPR statement said.

A large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives was also recovered from the militants, it added.

In a separate incident during the night, terrorists affiliated with “Fitna al-Khawarij” launched a coordinated attack on the Customs House.

Security forces responded to the assault and killed 10 terrorists following an intense exchange of fire, the ISPR said.

The fleeing militants were also engaged by security forces, resulting in further casualties, according to the military.

The ISPR described the attack on the Customs House as a manifestation of a “terror-crime nexus”, saying it was orchestrated to prevent Customs officials from carrying out their lawful duties and to facilitate continued criminal activities in the area.

However, six personnel were martyred during the exchange of fire, including two officers and an official from the Customs department, the ISPR said.

The military paid tribute to the personnel who, it said, “made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and embraced Shahadat”.

Sanitisation operations were continuing in the surrounding areas to eliminate any remaining militants and secure the local population as well as vital national highways, the ISPR said.

The latest operations come amid continued security challenges in Balochistan, where militant groups have targeted security personnel, government installations, highways and economic infrastructure.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces for killing 21 terrorists in Chagai and Pishin and for foiling the attack on the Customs House.

He also commended the forces for thwarting the attempt to establish an illegal checkpoint on the Quetta-Taftan Highway and disrupting the movement of commuters.

Zardari lauded the professional capabilities of the security forces in their action against the militants and expressed grief over the deaths of the six personnel, including two officers and a Customs official.

“The martyrs set a great example in defending the motherland by sacrificing their lives while performing their duties,” the president said.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also praised the security forces for what he described as successful operations against “Fitna al-Hindustan” and “Fitna al-Khawarij” under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-3.

Naqvi paid tribute to the six personnel who were killed, saying their sacrifices helped foil the attack on the Customs House.

“The great sacrifices of the martyrs are proof of the nation’s firm resolve against terrorism,” he said, adding that the security forces remained determined to ensure peace in Balochistan.

He said the complete elimination of terrorists and their facilitators was the demand of the entire nation and expressed solidarity with the security forces and law-enforcement agencies.

The ISPR said the counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam”, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue with “full resolve”.

“Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies remain committed to eliminating the menace of foreign-sponsored and foreign-supported terrorism from the country,” it said.