8 terrorists killed as army repulses attack on Gwadar Port

ISPR says security forces successfully thwarts their designs

 

Two soldiers embraced martyrdom as Pakistan Army successfully eliminated eight terrorists during its swift response to an attempted attack on the Gwadar Port Authority Colony on Wednesday.

According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, a band of eight terrorists made an attempt to infiltrate Port Authority Colony in Gwadar. A swift action by security forces thwarted their efforts, the statement added.

The ISPR said that a group of eight terrorists attempted to enter the Port Authority Colony but were successfully thwarted by security forces personnel. “Own troops employed for security responded immediately and effectively engaged the terrorists, and in ensuing fire exchange, all eight terrorists were sent to hell," it read.

“A large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives was also recovered,” the ISPR added.

It said that Sepoy Bahar Khan, 35, a resident of Dera Ghazi Khan district, and Sepoy Imran Ali, 28, a resident of Khairpur district, “fought gallantly, sacrificed their lives” and were martyred in the exchange of fire.

“Security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts of sabotaging peace and stability of Balochistan, and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” the ISPR said.

Armed with guns and bombs, the terrorists stormed the complex just outside the port that houses offices of government departments, intelligence agencies and paramilitary forces, said Saeed Ahmed Umrani, a government commissioner.

The terrorists detonated a number of bombs before launching a shooting attack and trying to storm the complex, he told Reuters.

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PM lauds security forces

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded the security forces for their successful interception of the attack. He praised the bravery and professionalism displayed by the police and security personnel involved in thwarting the assault.

Expressing deep respect, the prime minister honoured the sacrifices made by the martyred personnel in the line of duty, as stated by the PM Office Media Wing in a press release.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised that the perpetrators targeting peace in Gwadar and Balochistan aimed to disrupt the nation's path towards economic prosperity. He pledged to counter all internal and external threats with the unwavering support of the people.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti echoed the prime minister’s sentiments, applauding the swift and effective response of the security and law enforcement agencies. He asserted that the state would show no leniency to those resorting to violence.

"The operation was launched at 3:30 pm (1030 GMT) and is still underway", he said in a message sent early Wednesday evening.

Similarly, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz condemned the terrorist attack and extended her congratulations to the security forces for their successful defence against it, according to a press release.

N Waziristan IBO

Meanwhile, the security forces killed two terrorists and injured two others after an exchange of fire during an intelligence-based operation in the North Waziristan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing said in a statement.

According to the ISPR, an intense fire exchange took place between the army troops and the terrorists during the conduct of the operation.

Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the killed terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area, it said.

“Sanitisation operation is being conducted to eliminate any other terrorist found in the area as Security Forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country,” the ISPR said.

(With additional input from Syed Ali Shah in Quetta and agencies)