Internet services in Quetta to normalise by tonight: Balochistan govt spokesperson
Balochistan Government Spokesperson Shahid Rind, flanked by provincial officials, briefs the media on security operations and the government's response to recent militant activity in Balochistan. PHOTO: PTV (Screenshot)
The Balochistan government announced on Thursday that internet services in the provincial capital are set to be restored by tonight following a series of coordinated terrorist attacks that left hundreds of terrorists dead and disrupted communication across the region.
Balochistan witnessed a series of coordinated attacks at multiple locations across the province over the weekend. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 92 terrorists were killed on Saturday as security forces repelled the attacks. The death toll rose as operations continued across the province, taking the total number of terrorists killed to at least 216.
On Thursday, security forces successfully concluded Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-1 in Balochistan, conducting a series of coordinated, intelligence-based operations against what the military described as Indian-sponsored terrorist elements, the ISPR said.
Read: Security forces conclude operations after terrorist attacks in Balochistan
Provincial government spokesperson Shahid Rind, addressing a press conference on the security situation today, clarified that most of Quetta would see internet services return today. “In areas where search or combing operations are underway, the internet may be slightly disrupted and there may be some interference, but Quetta’s internet will be restored by this evening.”
Detailing the fallout from the August 31 attacks, Rind revealed that 216 terrorists were killed in retaliatory actions by security forces. The violence, which targeted 12 separate locations including Quetta and Noshki, also resulted in the martyrdom of 36 civilians and 22 security personnel. Among the neutralised attackers were two female militants, while three female civilians were martyred during the Gwadar assault.
He defended the delay in the security forces’ response, saying the operation took time due to concerns over collateral damage. “In the initial few hours, the biggest problem we faced in responding was that they were mixed in with the general public, and there was a risk of collateral damage, which naturally causes some delay. Noshki was one place where we faced some difficulty, and the basic reason for the problem there as well was to avoid collateral damage.”
When asked whether Quetta continued to face any kind of threat, Rind said that in such situations, multiple threats were generated, to which security forces responded accordingly. He said that some threats had existed in the past as well in relation to such incidents, and initiatives had already been taken to address them.
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“At the time the Red Zone was attacked, it was not a situation where senior officers were present at their homes. The DIG CTD was personally leading the operation, and the IG police was himself present there. This means that some threat or alert had been received due to which such high-ranking officers were on the ground.”
Security operations and Weapon recovery
Rind detailed that security forces responded to attacks at 12 different locations across the province. While most areas were cleared within the first day, Noshki remained a point of focus. In Quetta, ongoing search operations have led to the detention of approximately 100 suspects currently under interrogation.
The spokesperson noted a concerning trend in the weaponry recovered from residential properties during these raids. "During these operations, not only were small illegal weapons recovered, but RR (Recoilless Rifle) guns, anti-aircraft guns, and RPGs were also seized from certain houses," Rind said.
The government confirmed that militants targeted jails in Noshki and Mastung, resulting in the escape of several under-trial prisoners and "serious criminals". Rind stated that a "hot pursuit" was underway to apprehend the fugitives, and the superintendent of Noshki jail was now in stable condition following the attack.
Addressing the identification of the slain terrorists, the spokesperson issued a stern warning to families harbouring terrorists. He reiterated Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti’s earlier stance, noting that families who failed to report children associated with terrorist organisations to the district administration or security agencies could face legal action if a connection is discovered.
Read More: Pakistan Railways restores Quetta train services after Balochistan attacks
Infrastructure and public services
On the state of provincial connectivity, Rind informed that all national highways had been cleared, with the exception of a section in Noshki damaged by bomb blasts. Repair teams were expected to restore the route within 12 to 24 hours.
Despite the volatility, the government maintained that essential services would continue. Secondary school examinations for the 8th and 9th grades in Quetta will proceed as scheduled, and the provincial polio campaign remains active in all areas except Noshki.
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The provincial health minister, also present at the briefing, noted that an emergency remained in effect across healthcare facilities. He added that the government was launching a specialised mental health project to address the psychological trauma inflicted on the public by the recent wave of violence.