Forces rain wrath on terrorists in Balochistan

DG ISPR says 54 Indian proxies eliminated Ops launched after three major terror attacks 42 security personnel, c

RAWALPINDI:

Security forces killed 54 terrorists in a series of counterterrorism operations across Balochistan after three major coordinated attacks over the past four days left 42 security personnel and civilians martyred, the military's chief spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the dead terrorists - most of them Afghan nationals - belonged to the Indian proxy Fitna al Khawarij, a term used for the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Separately, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir reiterated that cross-border terrorism would be crushed with the full might of the state and that those providing sanctuary and facilitation to terrorists would be completely dismantled.

The ISPR chief's press conference on the security situation in Balochistan came after the country witnessed three major terrorist incidents in the province this week. "These attacks targeted civilians, police personnel and security forces," Lt Gen Chaudhry said.

The first incident occurred on the night of July 4-5 when terrorists attacked the local population in Hanna Urak. Lt Gen Chaudhry said the residents fought back "very valiantly and bravely" and forced the terrorists to flee the area. Four civilians were martyred while six others were injured in the attack, he added.

The second incident occurred when terrorists launched a multi-directional attack on a police check-post guarding Pumping Station No. 3 of Mangi Dam in Ziarat district, which supplies water to Quetta. "The police stood their ground and fought the terrorists despite the intensity of the attack," Lt Gen Chaudhry said.

He paid tribute to the police personnel, saying they defended the check-post with courage. He said nine policemen embraced martyrdom in the attack, while security forces later recovered the bodies of 15 terrorists during subsequent operations.

He said the engagement had continued in the mountains of Ziarat since July 6, where the Frontier Corps (FC), the Army and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) maintained pressure on the terrorists. According to Lt Gen Chaudhry, when the terrorists realised they had been surrounded, they attempted to resist.

He said another 11 terrorists were confirmed killed during the subsequent engagements, taking the total number of terrorists killed in the Ziarat operation to 26. He added that 18 more security personnel embraced martyrdom during the continuing operation.

Referring to the third incident, Lt Gen Chaudhry said an Army convoy travelling in the Bela-Winder area along the N-25 highway came under attack on Wednesday. A junior commissioned officer and 10 soldiers embraced martyrdom in the attack.

"Security forces killed 14 terrorists belonging to the banned Baloch Liberation Army during the ensuing operation," he said, adding that separate operations had also been conducted in Kharan and Dalbandin, where security forces killed six and eight terrorists, respectively.

The DG ISPR said security forces were continuing operations against terrorists. "The Army, Frontier Corps, law enforcement agencies, security forces and intelligence agencies are engaging them on the ground and from the air, and all of them will be brought to the end they deserve," Lt Gen Chaudhry said.

The DG ISPR reiterated that India was behind the recent wave of terrorism in the province, adding that hostile elements could not tolerate Pakistan's progress and stability. He also alleged that the Afghan Taliban regime was providing manpower to terrorist groups operating against Pakistan.

He further said that terrorists were using territory under the control of the Afghan Taliban regime as a base of operations against Pakistan. "We will take on each and every terrorist, their facilitator, those who harbour them, those who furnish them and those who provide them bases," he said.

"There was a scheme, a mastermind, logistics and an operational sequence behind the recent terrorist incidents in Balochistan," the DG ISPR said, adding that the facilitation was being provided by the Afghan Taliban regime. "They are providing manpower," he added.

"Most of the terrorists killed were Afghan nationals," Lt Gen Chaudhry said. Referring to a recent attack in Karachi, he said three of the four attackers were Afghan nationals and that the entire operation had been planned in Afghanistan.

"They have a problem with Pakistan's progress and honour. Balochistan is the life and glory of Pakistan, and its prosperity is a reality that no one can change," Lt Gen Chaudhry said. He pledged that all those involved in terrorism, along with their facilitators and supporters, would be dealt with.

Reaffirming the state's resolve, Lt Gen Chaudhry said the armed forces, under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir and under the political guidance of the government, had absolute clarity on how to deal with the terrorist threat.

Rejecting the notion that terrorist attacks could weaken Pakistan's determination, Lt Gen Chaudhry said: "I have said this before, and I will say it again: You can only deter someone who knows how to be deterred. There is no one in this world who can deter the State of Pakistan."

CDF visit to NDU

According to a statement issued by the military's media wing, the CDF addressed the graduating officers of the National Security and War Course during a visit to the National Defence University (NDU) in Islamabad.

The CDF addressed the country's security situation and reiterated that "terrorism emanating from across the borders will be crushed with full might of the state". He stressed that the armed forces, with the support of the nation, would ensure that terrorist sanctuaries of these proxies, along with their facilitators, were completely dismantled.

The CDF said the armed forces were "fully cognisant of state-sponsored attempts by hostile intelligence agencies to destabilise Pakistan", adding that the efforts of such proxies and networks, "who operate under the tutelage of hostile intelligence agencies, are futile and will not be allowed to undermine Pakistan's internal security and economic prosperity".

Field Marshal Asim highlighted the evolving character of warfare and underscored the centrality of strategic clarity and institutional professionalism in navigating complex strategic issues. He also said the military was recalibrating its employment and development strategies in line with the evolving character of warfare.

He also praised the role of institutions such as the NDU in "nurturing future military-civil leadership capable of mitigating hybrid, conventional and sub-conventional threats with foresight, confidence and resolve".

CDF Munir concluded by expressing "full confidence in the professionalism, morale and operational readiness of the battle-hardened armed forces of Pakistan" and urged the graduating officers to adhere to the values of integrity, selfless service and unwavering commitment to the nation.

(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP & PTV)