Two terrorists killed, body of Omer Javed recovered during Balochistan recovery operation

Lt colonel of army along with his cousin was abducted on the night between July 12 and 13 while returning from Quetta

The body of Omer Javed, who was abducted along with his cousin — a lieutenant colonel of Pakistan Army — on the night between July 12 and 13 while returning from Quetta, has been recovered while two terrorists were also killed during the recovery operation, the military said on Saturday.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that during the ongoing recovery operation on July 16 (Friday), launched to recover Omer Javed and apprehend perpetrators of the abduction in Ziarat’s Warchoom area, another terrorists’ hideout was identified and cleared by the security forces.

During the exchange of fire, two terrorists were killed and arms and ammunition also recovered, it added.

After clearance of hideout, the entire area was sanitised.  “During search of the area, unfortunately, dead body of Mr Omer Javed Shaheed [martyr] has been found in a nearby Nullah, 5kms from Warchoom towards Khalifat Mountains,” said the ISPR.

As per assessment, the military’s media wing said terrorists had killed Omer Javed immediately after abduction.

The sanitisation operation however, continues in the area to apprehend remaining 3-4 perpetrators who are on the run, it added.

“Pakistan Army in step with nation, remains determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan,” read the statement.

On Friday, the lieutenant colonel of Pakistan Army, who was abducted on the night between July 12 and 13 while returning from Quetta, was shot dead while two terrorists were also killed in a rescue operation.

Also read: Soldier martyred in ongoing Balochistan rescue operation

According to the military’s media wing, on the night between July 12 and 13, a group of 10-12 terrorists abducted Lieutenant Colonel Laiq (serving in DHA Quetta) and his cousin Omer Javed while returning to Quetta near Warchoom, Ziarat, after having visited Quaid's residency.

The Inter-Services Public Relations said, “On receipt of information, Army Quick Reaction Forces were immediately despatched to chase fleeing terrorists who traced them moving to their hideouts in general area Mangi Dam. A deliberate search operation was launched by security forces using SSG troops and helicopters.

“Resultantly, on the night of July 13/14, a group of six to eight terrorists was spotted moving in a Nullah in nearby mountains by one of the teams of the security forces. On sensing their possible encirclement, terrorists shot Lieutenant Colonel Laiq Shaheed and attempted to flee.”

The ISPR said that in ensuing exchange of fire, two terrorists were killed while a cache of IEDs, explosives and ammunition was recovered.

However, in the process, the ISPR said, remaining terrorists along with the other abductee Omer were able to flee for the time being.