State will never surrender to terrorism: CM Sarfaraz Bugti

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti has expressed deep sympathy with the families of those martyred in recent terrorist attacks, reaffirming that the state stands firmly with the heirs of the martyrs and will continue its fight against terrorism at all costs.

Addressing the media, the chief minister said that security forces killed 145 terrorists within 40 hours during intelligence-based operations across Balochistan. He confirmed that the bodies of all the terrorists killed in these operations are in state custody. Bugti praised the security forces for their timely actions, which successfully thwarted multiple planned attacks in the province.

The chief minister strongly condemned the brutal killing of five women and three children in Gwadar, as well as the martyrdom of five to ten people in Quetta, calling the loss of innocent lives deeply tragic. “It is our responsibility to take care of the children of the martyrs. The blood of our youth is not cheap,” he said, vowing that every terrorist involved would be brought to justice.

Sarfaraz Bugti stated that intelligence agencies had prior reports of terrorist activities and that careful operations were conducted to avoid civilian casualties and damage to property. He emphasized that terrorists would not be allowed to take “even an inch of our holy land.”

Highlighting the broader security picture, the chief minister revealed that more than 1,500 terrorists have been killed in operations throughout the year, adding that clearance operations are still ongoing. He said terrorists aim to impose their ideology through violence and guns, but such efforts will never succeed.

Bugti accused hostile forces of pushing the Baloch nation toward a futile war, alleging that Baloch blood is being used as fuel at the behest of India in an attempt to destabilize Pakistan and reduce its regional importance. He also claimed that Afghan soil is being used for terrorism against Pakistan and that weapons from the Afghan war have flooded local markets, with Afghans among the terrorists involved.

“There is no justification for linking terrorism with deprivation,” Bugti said, rejecting claims that violence is a result of state oppression. He maintained that the state has never used force against the people of Balochistan and that governance in the province is steadily improving. “Today, the youth of Balochistan are getting jobs on merit, and the province is moving towards peace,” he added.

Declaring the fight against terrorism as a battle between right and wrong, the chief minister said Pakistan is ready to fight this war “for a thousand years if needed.” He concluded by asserting, “We will fight terrorism, we will never surrender. Terrorists have neither a tribe nor a nation, and they will be dealt with accordingly. Pakistan will never lose this war.”