15 Khawarij neutralised as forces avenge 9 cops

Terrorists ambush police in Kach Mangi area of Ziarat Two SHOs, ATF in-charge among martyrs Police, FC and CTD

QUETTA:

Security forces killed 15 terrorists belonging to the banned Fitna-al-Khawarij in a major intelligence-based operation in the rugged mountains of Ziarat, hours after nine policemen were martyred in a terrorist attack, police said on Tuesday.

The martyred police personnel included two station house officers (SHOs), one official from the provincial Anti-Terrorist Force (ATF) and six police constables. There were also reports that nearly two dozen policemen were missing following the attack.

According to police, the terrorists ambushed police personnel deployed in the Kach Mangi Phase III area of Ziarat, triggering hours of intense gun battles. Ziarat Superintendent of Police (SP) Abdul Qadoos Dehwar confirmed the martyrdom of nine police personnel.

He identified the martyred officers as SHO Mangi Muhammad Hussain, SHO Kawas Sohbat Khan, ATF in-charge Head Constable Saifullah and six other police personnel. The bodies of the martyrs were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Ziarat for legal formalities.

Police said the terrorists also abducted several civilians and police personnel after the attack. Five of the abducted civilians later managed to escape, while security forces successfully rescued Constable Rizwan during the operation.

Police added that Deputy Superintendent of Police Ghulam Sarwar and eight other personnel, who were initially cut off during the ambush, safely reached Kach Police Station after making their way through difficult mountainous terrain under hostile conditions.

A joint clearance operation involving the Frontier Corps (FC), Balochistan Police, the Counter-Terrorism Department, the Special Operations Wing, the ATF and other law enforcement agencies was launched to flush out terrorists hiding in the mountainous terrain.

"The joint clearance operation has been completed, with 15 terrorists killed," said Shahid Rind, spokesperson for the Balochistan chief minister. "The militants paid a heavy price for attempting to undermine peace in Balochistan. There will be no safe havens for terrorists in the province."

Rind said the state would respond to terrorism with full force, adding that intelligence-based operations would continue more effectively and that there would be no compromise on peace, stability and the protection of the people of Balochistan.

He said Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti travelled from Quetta to Ziarat to review the situation firsthand, where he also chaired a security meeting and vowed that those responsible for the attack would be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice.

Bugti commended the courage of police personnel who fought valiantly against the terrorists, saying their sacrifices in the line of duty had set an unparalleled example. "Salute to the martyrs of the Balochistan Police. Their sacrifices will never go in vain," he said.

He also expressed satisfaction over the successful clearance operation carried out by police and security forces against terrorists of Fitna-al-Khawarij, a term used by the state for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

"The elimination of terrorists in the operation is clear evidence of the bravery, professionalism and effective strategy of the Balochistan Police and security forces," he said. "The courage of police personnel who fought valiantly against terrorists, and their sacrifices in the line of duty, have set an unparalleled example."

Acting President Yousuf Raza Gilani and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack by Fitna-al-Khawarij on a police check post in Ziarat and paid tribute to the martyred police personnel. They said the sacrifices of the martyred officers and personnel would always be remembered.

The prime minister also commended the security forces for killing 15 terrorists during the clearance operation. "The attack by Fitna-al-Khawarij once again demonstrated that the group is an enemy of the people's prosperity and of peace and development in Balochistan," he said.

The prime minister also reaffirmed the government's resolve not to allow anyone to undermine peace in the province. "The war against terrorists will continue until the complete elimination of these enemies of peace," he added.

Meanwhile, residents of Ziarat staged a strong protest by blocking the national highway at Ziarat Cross, suspending all traffic and causing long queues of vehicles. Authorities said search operations and intelligence-based operations were continuing in the area.

Earlier on Tuesday, political parties and tribesmen continued their sit-in protest for a third day on Quetta's Airport Road after a deadly armed clash in the Hanna Urak area left four people dead. They demanded that the authorities launch decisive action against the terrorists.