12 security men martyred in Balochistan

ISPR says seven terrorists ‘sent to hell’ in two attacks

RAWALPINDI:

At least 12 security personnel were martyred by terrorists in an early morning attack on the Zhob Garrison in northern Balochistan and another attack in the Sui district, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday.

The media wing of the military said that nine troops embraced martyrdom, as they thwarted a terrorist attack on the Zhob Garrison. Later, three more soldiers laid down their lives in another attack in Sui district.

Earlier, the ISPR had put the death toll from the Zhob attack at four, stating that five soldiers were critically injured. Later, it said that the injured soldiers also succumbed to their injuries and embraced martyrdom.

“Initial attempt of terrorists to sneak into the facility was checked by soldiers on duty,” the ISPR said, adding that the terrorists were soon after cornered in a small area near the boundary following a heavy exchange of fire.

“In total, five terrorists have been sent to hell during the operation,” the ISPR said, adding that a clearance operation was successfully completed.

In Sui district, according to the military’s media wing, an exchange of fire took place between the security forces and heavily armed terrorists.

During the exchange of fire, the ISPR said, “three brave soldiers, having fought gallantly, embraced Shahadat while two terrorists were sent to hell during the operation”.

“The security forces are maintaining pressure and clearance operation is under way to apprehend the remaining terrorists as well,” the military’s media wing stated. “The security forces remain unwavered to expose/neutralise the enemies of peace in Balochistan and Pakistan.”

The ISPR added, “The security forces and the nation remain resilient and determined to thwart all such dastardly attempts of the enemy aimed at destroying peace of Balochistan and Pakistan.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, paid rich tributes to the martyred soldiers, saying in a tweet that their sacrifice for the homeland would be remembered forever. He said that the martyred soldiers were the “pride of the nation”.

The prime minister said that the nation was indebted to the supreme sacrifices of the sacred blood of their Shuhada and Ghazi who ensured the defence and solidarity of Pakistan.

Balochistan, along with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), were reported to be the primary centres of terror attacks during the second quarter of 2023, accounting for more than 80% of all fatalities in the country.

According to a report issued by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) on Tuesday, Islamabad Capital Territory, Punjab, and Sindh experienced relatively fewer incidents of violence in comparison to K-P and Balochistan.

The overall number of fatalities decreased by 21%, from 358 in Q1 to 284 in Q2, 2023, marking a significant drop in violence. Balochistan was the only province to witness a surge in violence (fatalities) by 14%.

In the latest terrorist attacks to take place in Balochistan, six security personnel were martyred in two separate attacks on the same day earlier this month. The attacks were reported by the ISPR and Levies sources.