Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Monday warned of stern action against all extremists after a series of terrorist attacks in the province, stressing this did not entail any “grand operation.”
The restive province saw a spate of terrorist attacks from late on Sunday night through early Monday morning. In one such incident, terrorists offloaded 23 people from buses and trucks and killed them after checking their ID cards. Per police, a majority of the slain individuals belonged to Punjab province. Additionally, at least 14 people—including police, Levies personnel and civilians—were martyred in a gun attack in Kalat and other retaliatory actions.
“At least 38 innocent people were martyred in the attack,” Bugti told a press conference in Quetta, maintaining those involved in the killings were “terrorists” and not Baloch. Condemning the attacks, he vowed to ensure the terrorists, as well as their facilitators and sympathizers would be brought to heel. He said clearance operations launched after the attacks had seen security forces and law enforcement agencies kill 21 terrorists.
“The state will establish its writ and take all necessary steps,” he said. “We are ready for dialogue but with whom we should hold talks? Should we hold talks with those who killed innocent laborers?” he said, stressing “innocent people” were martyred after being offloaded from buses. “Revenge will be taken from terrorists. These activities were not carried out by disgruntled Baloch, but rather terrorists who always search for soft targets,” he added.
Maintaining the state would support the victims, he said the time had come for all stakeholders, including the judiciary, media and civil society, to join the war against terrorism. He said the provincial government would enhance the capacity of its forces and meet the challenge of eliminating terrorism.
To a question, he said the government was adopting a “smart, kinetic” approach to tackle terrorists lacking any significant capacity in Balochistan. He further clarified that the situation did not merit a “grand operation,” as the law and order situation could be normalized through intelligence-based operations.
Answering another question, he hinted at limiting 4G internet services in Balochistan to counter the spread of fake news and propaganda by anti-state elements. In this regard, he urged Baloch youth against complicity in terrorist propaganda and invited them to share any grievances regarding governance of employment with the government.
Separately, in a statement confirming operations and casualties suffered, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) vowed to ensure all instigators, perpetrators, facilitators and abettors of the terrorist acts would be brought to justice. “Security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” it said.