LEAs land a big blow to terrorists in Balochistan
PHOTO: AFP
In a stunning blow to elements out to create unrest, the security forces killed at least 24 terrorists during gunfights and intelligence based operations in Mach and Kolpur, Balochistan in the last three days, the military’s media wing said in a statement.
However, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated that four law enforcement agencies’ personnel as well as two civilians embraced martyred during the “fire fight”.
With general elections just around the corner, Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have witnessed an uptick in terrorist activities.
Prominent political figures have been issued threats while the LEAs are grappling with the formidable challenge of upholding peace and stability in the region.
According to the statement issued by the ISPR on Friday, terrorists attacked Mach and Kolpur Complexes in Balochistan on the night of Jan 29 and 30, 2024.
“The law enforcement agencies [personnel] deputed on security offered stiff resistance and forced the attackers to repulse,” the ISPR stated, adding that these terrorists were then hunted down in the ensuing sanitisation and clearance operations which had now been concluded after clearing and securing the area.
“During the fire fights and sanitisation/clearance operations, in the last three days, 24 terrorists have been sent to hell,” the military’s media wing added. “Shehzad Baloch, Attaullah, Salahuddin, Abdul Wadood and Zeeshan are the key terrorists among the dead.
“The identification process of the remaining terrorists is in process.”
The ISPR added that however, during the intense exchange of fire, “four brave members of LEAs, having fought gallantly, embraced Shahadat along with two innocent civilians”.
The army’s media wing praised the effective response by the LEAs’ personnel, saying it was a “testament of their unrelenting resolve in the fight against terrorism”.
“Pakistan's security forces stand shoulder to shoulder with other law enforcement agencies to ensure peace and stability in the country,” it added.
On Thursday, one person was killed and five others injured in three separate attacks in different areas of Balochistan.
The body and injured were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical assistance.
Following the attack, the security forces swiftly cordoned off the affected sites.
Meanwhile, a protest against the killing of National Assembly candidate Rehan Zeb continued at Khar Bazaar, Bajaur. Zeb was shot dead on Wednesday by unidentified assailants while campaigning in Bajaur district’s Sadiqabad Phattak Bazaar.
On Tuesday, unidentified miscreants lobbed a hand grenade at the election office of the PPP on Sariab Road in Quetta, injuring five people.
According to police, Ali Madad Jatak, the PPP candidate for the provincial assembly seat in Quetta, was not present at the office at the time of the attack.
Miscreants also threw a hand grenade at the residence of Mir Zahoor Buledi, the PPP’s candidate for a provincial assembly seat in Kech district.
A bomb blast on a main road in Balochistan’s Sibi during an election rally led by Saddam Tareen – a PTI-affiliated independent candidate for the NA-253 (Ziarat) constituency – left at least four people dead and five others injured.
An ANP activist, identified as Zahoor Ahmed, was killed and another injured when armed men opened fire in the Maizai Addah area of Qilla Abdullah.
On Monday night, security forces had thwarted three “coordinated attacks” launched by terrorists using rockets and sophisticated weapons in Mach, some 70 kilometres from the provincial capital.
The terrorists also targeted a hotel and six shops in the Kolpur area and set them on fire.
The Election Commission of Pakistan while expressing deep concern over the terror attacks sought an immediate report from the Balochistan chief secretary and inspector general.
Further, according to the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), 15 political figures in K-P received threats from extremists in connection with the upcoming general elections.
Releasing a list of such individuals, the CTD maintained that threats had been issued to former National Assembly member Mohsin Dawar, ex-provincial minister Imtiaz Qureshi, Senator Hidayatullah, former PML-N MNA Amir Muqam, PTI leaders Pir Musawir Shah and Shah Muhammad as well as JUI-F’s Malik Adnan Wazir and Ehsanullah.
Senators Bakhti Afsar and Maulana Abdur Rasheed were also threatened by the extremists.
The CTD stated that the police officials of the concerned districts have been informed about the threats, and directed for additional security of the listed politicians.