Security forces kill 21 terrorists in Balochistan operations: ISPR

QUETTA: At least 21 terrorists were killed and 14 security personnel martyred during retaliatory operations against terrorists in Balochistan after attacked police stations, railway lines and highways and security forces, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Monday.

“On the night of August 25 and 26, terrorists attempted to conduct numerous heinous activities in Balochistan. On behest of inimical and hostile forces, these cowardly acts of terrorism were aimed at disrupting the peaceful environment and development of Balochistan by targeting mainly the innocent civilians, especially in Musakhel, Kalat and Lasbela districts. Resultantly, numerous innocent civilians embraced shahadat,” the ISPR said.

In Musakhel district, terrorists stopped a bus in general area Rarasham and maliciously targeted innocent citizens, working in Balochistan to earn their livelihood.

“Security forces and law enforcement agencies immediately responded and successfully thwarted the evil design of terrorists and sent twenty-one terrorists to hell in ensuing clearance operations, ensuring security and protection of local populace,” the ISPR said.

Also read: Balochistan comes under coordinated terror attacks, train services suspended

“However, during the conduct of operations, fourteen brave sons of soil including ten security forces soldiers and four personnel of law enforcement agencies, having fought gallantly, made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat,” it said.

Sanitization operations are being conducted and the instigators, perpetrators, facilitators and abettors of these heinous and cowardly acts, targeting innocent civilians, will be brought to justice, it said.

“Security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.”

“These attacks are a well thought out plan to create anarchy in Pakistan,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said in a statement earlier, adding that security forces had killed 12 militants in operations after the attacks on Sunday and Monday.

Local officials said at least 23 people were killed in the highway attacks, in which armed men checked passengers’ IDs before shooting many of them and torching vehicles.

Rail traffic with Quetta was suspended following blasts on a rail bridge linking the provincial capital to the rest of Pakistan. Militants also struck a rail link to neighbouring Iran, railways official Muhammad Kashif said, according to Reuters.

Police said they had found six as yet unidentified bodies near the site of the attack on the railway bridge.

Officials said terrorists also targeted police and security stations in Balochistan, killing at least 10 people in one attack.

The banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) took responsibility for the operation they called “Haruf” or “dark windy storm”. In a statement to journalists they claimed more attacks over the last day not yet confirmed by authorities.

The group said four suicide bombers, including a woman from the southern port district of Gwadar, had been involved in an attack on a major paramilitary base, according to Reuters.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed that security forces would retaliate and bring those responsible to justice.

European Commission spokesperson Nabila Massrali said on social media platform X that the EU condemned the attack, adding that violence “threatens the foundation of democracy.”

PASSENGERS KILLED

On Sunday night, armed men blocked a highway in Balochistan, marched passengers off vehicles, and shot them after checking their identity cards, a senior superintendent of police, Ayub Achakzai, told Reuters.

As many as 35 vehicles, including trucks, were set on fire on the highway in the area of Musakhail.

“The armed men also not only killed passengers but also killed the drivers of trucks carrying coal,” said Hameed Zahir, deputy commissioner of the area.

Terrorists targeted workers mostly from Punjab.

In the past, they have also attacked Chinese interests and citizens in the province, where China runs the deepwater port of Gwadar, as well as a gold and copper mine in its west.

Six security personnel, three civilians and one tribal elder made up the ten killed in clashes with armed terrorists who stormed a station of the Balochistan Levies in the central district of Kalat, police official Dostain Khan Dashti said.

Officials said police stations had also been attacked in two southern coastal towns, but the toll had yet to be confirmed.