A senior district administration official was martyred after heavily armed terrorists, belonging to Fitna al Hindustan, launched a coordinated attack on a bank and the residences of government officers in Surab, Balochistan, officials said on Friday.
Shahid Rind, a spokesperson for the provincial government, and Hamza Shafqaat, the commissioner of Quetta, confirmed that Hidayatullah Buledi, the additional deputy commissioner (ADC) of Surab district, was martyred while fighting the terrorists.
Officials and witnesses stated that 20 to 30 terrorists of Fitna al Hindustan entered the market of Surab city on motorcycles in the evening and targeted soft civilian areas such as banks and markets.
Ordinary Baloch women and children were also attacked in the market, they added.
"Heavily armed militants launched a coordinated assault on a bank and the residences of senior government officers in Surab Bazaar," spokesperson Rind said in a statement. "The attackers looted the bank and set fire to several official residences," he added.
During the attack, Rind said, ADC Revenue Hidayatullah Baloch Buledi was martyred while resisting the terrorists. He said that women and children were present in the ADC's residence at the time of the assault.
However, despite the presence of his family members, Buledi stood firm against the attackers.
He paid rich tribute to Buledi, saying that the ADC fought valiantly to protect Baloch children and women from the terrorists and ultimately laid down his life in the line of duty. "He has set a new example of bravery by sacrificing his life for the nation," Rind said.
"Deputy Commissioner Surab compound was attacked. Unfortunately, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mr Hidayat Buledi embraced martyrdom. The attack was carried out by Fitna al Hindustan. Mr Buledi was a LUMS alumnus. Levies and other law enforcement agencies valiantly fought them back," Shafqaat tweeted.
According to Rind, the attack was not a random act of violence but part of a calculated attempt to destabilise the province. "This operation was carried out by Indian-backed proxies. It is a clear effort to challenge the state's authority and spread fear," he asserted.
"By targeting Baloch areas and Baloch women and children, Fitna al Hindustan has once again proven that these Indian-sponsored terrorists have no connection with Balochistan and Baloch traditions," the spokesperson stated. "Indian proxies have taken action on their orders."
Security forces, including the Frontier Corps (FC), police and Levies, promptly reached the spot and launched a joint clearance operation. "Search and clearance operations are ongoing, and the enemies of peace will be brought to justice," the spokesperson said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the cowardly attack on innocent citizens, officers of the administration, and a bank by terrorists in Surab. He paid tribute to ADC Hidayatullah Buledi for embracing martyrdom while defending his area from terrorists.
The prime minister expressed sympathy with the bereaved family members of the martyr. "ADC Hidayatullah Buledi set an example of bravery while fighting against the terrorists. The sympathies of the whole nation are with the family of the martyred," he said in a statement.
Shehbaz said that terrorists had targeted innocent and unarmed citizens, including children and women.
"The attack by cowardly terrorists on the citizens and their properties is openly and evidently reflective of their animosity towards the people and the progress of Balochistan," he said.
"The war against terrorists will continue until their complete elimination from the country. The armed forces of Pakistan are working day and night to exterminate the proxies who are spreading terrorism in Pakistan under the patronage of India," the prime minister stated.
"The whole nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces in completely wiping out the elements involved in terrorism with the abetment of India."
He directed that the persons involved in the incident be identified and given exemplary punishment.
(WITH INPUT FROM APP)
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