Security forces on Friday killed over 40 “India-backed” terrorists during the ongoing Operation Shaban in Balochistan, amidst a crackdown on terrorists in the province following an attack on the Mangi Dam police checkpost.
Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, in a post on X, said 39 terrorists were killed as part of Operation Shaban, with the total number of miscreants killed since July 5 rising to 75. The Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police are carrying out the operation jointly, per security sources. Coupled with other intelligence-based operations, say the sources, 91 terrorists have been killed over the past week.
The police post came under attack on July 5, with Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry saying 15 militants were slain during the initial engagement. The standoff also resulted in nine police personnel embracing martyrdom, while several police personnel were taken hostage before security forces reached the area. As the cordon tightened, per the military spokesman, the terrorists martyred 18 more police personnel.
Overall, 42 people, including security personnel and civilians, have been martyred in three recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan. Chairing a meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee on the National Action Plan in Quetta on Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that the resolve of the civil and military leadership to eliminate India-backed terrorism in Balochistan. The “enemy was unable to digest Pakistan’s diplomatic achievements,” he said.
According to C.M. Bugti, terrorists attempted to attack a police station in the Zedi area of Khuzdar district on Friday morning, which was thwarted. “Army and Frontier Corps troops immediately launched an operation and killed at least eight terrorists,” said security officials, adding six more terrorists were killed in a helicopter operation in the area.
Protest Ended
Also on Friday, protesters staging a sit-in at the Quetta Airport Road after the killing of five tribesmen, injuring of eight and the kidnapping of 11 others from Hanna Urak Valley, called off their demonstration after the release of the abductees and successful negotiations between Bugti and protest leaders.
Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said if there had been any mistakes on the part of the government at any level, they would be acknowledged and addressed. He vowed every possible effort to provide justice and relief to the affected people.
However, a separate sit-in staged by families of martyred policemen in Ziarat continued, with demonstrators suspending all traffic between Quetta, Pishin, and Ziarat and demanding immediate security guarantees and justice to the policemen.