Bugti rules out military operation

Stresses on evolving consensus among political parties against terrorism

QUETTA:

Stressing the need for creating consensus among political parties against terrorism, Balcohistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has ruled out an option of military operation in the province.

Talking to media at Civil Hospital in Quetta, Sarfraz Bugti said Balochistan is a big province and the state will defend every inch of the province.

To a question on recent terror attacks in Balochistan, he said the terrorists identify soft targets and launch attack on innocent people. He revealed that the forces stopped a vehicle laced with explosives in Turbat and foiled a terror bid.

Bugti said the word 'condemnation' and 'serious concerns' are too little to express painful feelings on terror attacks, adding, "If terrorism can stop from my resignation, I won't wait for a minute to tender my resignation."

Bugti said he will keep holding the position of Balochistan CM as long as the provincial assembly trusts in him.

The Balochistan CM said there is a need to create unity against terrorism and an effort will be made to evolve consensus against the menace in the assembly.

Bugti ruled out a need of military operation in the assembly, saying the federation is extending support to the province. The search operation is underway after Daki terror incident.

The Balochistan CM said the adversaries are employing modern technology in terror attacks. He highlighted that six terrorists, involved in the murder of deputy commissioner Panjgur, had been killed. He hinted at increasing compensation for the families of the victims of terror attacks.

Labourers go on strike after Duki terror attack

Labour organisations have gone on strike with coal miners ceasing operations to protest the deadly terror attack in Duki earlier this week.

According to Express News, former provincial minister and central leader of Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) Nawab Ayaz Jogezai, along with others, held a press conference demanding protection for workers.

They threatened to halt work if their demands were not met.

District President of the Labour Federation, Ambar Khan Yousafzai, stated that work would remain suspended until workers' safety is ensured, expressing sorrow over the tragic incident in which 20 miners were killed the previous day.

PKMAP leader Nawab Ayaz Jogezai described the killing of workers in Duki as a heartbreaking incident, noting that 20 miners were killed and around eight were injured.

He added that this incident is neither the first nor the last, as such occurrences are increasing daily. "For 76 years, the small nations in this country have been exploited," he said.

District authorities reported that the assailants used heavy weapons, including hand grenades and rocket launchers, to target the coal mines.

An attack by unidentified armed men on a local coal company in Duki district, Balochistan, has resulted in the deaths of 20 miners and injuries to seven others

Haji Khairullah Nasir, the District Chairman of Duki, stated that the attackers fired at the workers and set fire to mining equipment. Although police and Frontier Corps (FC) were alerted, no security personnel arrived at the scene in time.

According to police, the armed men gathered the workers in groups before opening fire. SHO Duki Humayun Khan Nasir confirmed that 17 bodies have been taken to the civil hospital with more casualties expected.

Among the deceased, two were from Afghanistan while others hailed from Pishin, Kuchlak, Killa Saifullah, Zhob and Loralai, all of whom were Pashtun.

Authorities warned that the death toll could increase, as many injured were in critical condition.