Security forces kill 10 terrorists

RAWALPINDI:

Security forces killed 10 terrorists and apprehended two female suicide bombers and a facilitator during multiple intelligence-based operations in Balochistan over the past 48 hours, the military's media wing said on Wednesday.

The intelligence-based operations are part of the recently launched Operation Shaban, a joint operation by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC), and Balochistan Police launched in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on Mangi Dam Police Station and remain underway, with forces intensifying action against terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij across the province.

Fitna al-Khawarij is the term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the operations were conducted "in continuation of security forces operations against the terrorist nexus of Indian sponsored Fitna al Hindustan and Fitna al Khawarij."

The statement said that comprehensive joint operations are being carried in different parts of Balochistan to weed out remnants of terrorists and their facilitators

According to the ISPR, security forces carried out "multiple intelligence-based area sanitisation and targeted operations in District Surab and District Mastung of Balochistan," during the last 48 hours, "during which ten terrorists were killed."

The military said security forces "effectively engaged the terrorist locations" in Surab district, "killing seven terrorists."

In a separate operation in Mastung district, "three terrorists were killed, and two female suicide bombers along with a facilitator were also apprehended belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna al Hindustan," the statement said.

The ISPR further said that weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices used by terrorists were also recovered from the terrorists. It added that sanitisation operations were continuing in the area "to eliminate any other Indian sponsored terrorist found in the area."

Reaffirming its commitment to counter-terrorism, the military said the "relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision 'Azm-e-Istehkam' by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country."

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces for killing 10 terrorists in the Surab and Mastung districts of Balochistan.

The security forces' effective operations against the terrorist networks of Fitna al-Hindustan, and Fitna al-Khawarij operating in Balochistan are essential for maintaining national peace, the president said in a statement.

The fight against terrorism fueled by external interference will continue, the president stated.

He said the entire nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the security forces and law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism.

In a separate statement, the prime minister praised the security forces' officers and personnel for eliminating ten terrorists in the districts of Surab and Mastung, and for arresting a facilitator along with two female suicide bombers.

"No one will be allowed to disrupt peace in Balochistan," the prime minister said adding "We will continue the fight against the menace of terrorism until it is completely eradicated from the country".

"The terrorists are enemies of the development and prosperity of Balochistan and its people," the prime minister said.

The entire nation, including myself, stands shoulder to shoulder with the Armed Forces of Pakistan in their unwavering resolve to defend our beloved homeland, the prime minister added.

A curfew has been imposed in Khadkocha, a sub-tehsil of Mastung, from 9:00pm tonight until further notice to maintain law and order, announced Babar Yousafzai, Special Assistant to the Home Department of Balochistan.

Under the directives of the Balochistan Home Department, citizens are strictly prohibited from leaving their homes or engaging in unnecessary movement during the curfew, and they are urged to fully cooperate with the administration.

Officials warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone violating the curfew order, emphasizing that all necessary measures are being implemented to ensure peace and stability in the region.

Meanwhile, three passengers died and three others sustained injuries after unidentified gunmen opened fire on a Karachi-bound passenger coach in Balochistan's Mastung district on Wednesday, police said.

The attack took place in the Garo area of Khad Kocha, where assailants sprayed the coach with bullets as it was travelling from Quetta to Karachi. The vehicle had departed from Quetta's Jabal Noor Terminal. Police said three passengers died at the scene, while three others sustained injuries in the firing.

The bodies of the deceased and one injured passenger were shifted to Shaheed Nawab Ghaus Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital in Mastung. The remaining two injured were taken to Manguchar Hospital, where they were receiving treatment.

The attackers fled following the assault. Soon after the incident, police and other law-enforcement agencies reached the site and began collecting forensic and other evidence.

Police said an investigation had been launched to determine the motive behind the attack, while a search operation was underway in the surrounding area to trace and apprehend the assailants.