ISLAMABAD: Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said that India is behind the recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan, alleging that it cannot tolerate Pakistan’s prosperity. He said that during the past four days, 42 people, including security personnel, were martyred, while 54 terrorists were killed in retaliatory operations by security forces.
The DG ISPR made these remarks during an important press conference, where he provided an update on the current security situation in Balochistan.
He said that three terrorist incidents took place in Balochistan over the last four days. The first incident occurred on the night of July 4 and 5, when Fitna al-Khawarij attacked local residents. Four innocent civilians were martyred, while six others were injured.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that on July 6, terrorists attacked a police checkpoint near the pumping station close to Mangi Dam in Ziarat. Police personnel put up strong resistance during the attack. At least 15 terrorists were killed in the fighting, while the remaining terrorists fled the scene, leaving behind the bodies of their dead. Nine police personnel embraced martyrdom during the clash.
He said security forces were immediately dispatched to the area. However, the terrorists disarmed the police personnel, took them hostage, and moved them to another location. He noted that the police personnel belonged to the local area and were local Baloch and Pashtun residents.
The DG ISPR said that security forces pursued the terrorists and launched an operation. Since the hostages were in the terrorists’ custody, the forces proceeded cautiously while tightening the cordon around them. During the operation, which has continued since July 6, several terrorists were killed. He said the terrorists martyred 18 hostage security personnel during the operation, which is still ongoing.
He added that nine personnel were martyred on the day of the Mangi Dam attack, while another 18 personnel were martyred today, bringing the total number of martyred personnel in that incident to 27.
He further said that today, 11 Army personnel were martyred in an attack by the BLA on a security convoy, while 14 BLA terrorists were killed in the ensuing operation.
The DG ISPR noted that Mangi Dam supplies water to the people of Quetta and said terrorists had targeted the dam on July 6.
Earlier reports had stated that 19 terrorists belonging to Fitna-e-Hindustan were killed in an operation by security forces in Balochistan, while 11 security personnel embraced martyrdom in the defence of the country.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that, overall, 42 valuable lives, including security personnel, were lost in the terrorist attacks over the past four days, while security forces killed 54 terrorists in retaliatory operations. He added that operations are still ongoing.
He alleged that India is carrying out these acts of terrorism because it cannot tolerate Pakistan’s prosperity and dignity.
The DG ISPR also said that most of the terrorists killed were Afghan nationals. He claimed that the recent terrorist incidents were part of a planned campaign and that the Afghan regime was providing support.
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Meanwhile, security sources said that acting on confirmed intelligence, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation on the N-25 highway between Jhao Cross and Kararo in Balochistan. According to the sources, terrorists belonging to Fitna-e-Hindustan had blocked the road and were collecting extortion money from passengers and local residents.
Security sources said the timely action by security forces resulted in the killing of 19 Fitna-e-Hindustan terrorists, while several others were injured. During the operation, 11 brave security personnel embraced martyrdom while defending the country.
According to security sources, the prompt action by the security forces reflects their determination to protect the lives and property of the public, ensure the security of highways, and respond decisively to every attempt to hold Balochistan’s peace hostage.
