ISLAMABAD: Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said that security forces and law enforcement agencies had killed 54 militants during operations in Balochistan over the past four days, while 42 people, including security personnel, police officers and civilians, embraced martyrdom during three major terrorist incidents.
Addressing a press briefing on the security situation in Balochistan, the military spokesperson said the attacks targeted innocent civilians and state institutions, adding that local residents, police and security forces displayed exceptional courage in confronting the attackers.
He said that operations against militants and their facilitators were continuing and that the state remained committed to eliminating terrorism from the country.
Three Major Incidents in Four Days
According to Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Balochistan witnessed three significant terrorist attacks between July 4 and July 8.
He said the first attack took place during the night between July 4 and July 5 in the Hanna Urak area, where militants launched an assault on local residents.
The DG ISPR stated that the people of Hanna Urak resisted the attackers bravely and eventually forced them to retreat from the area. During the incident, four civilians were martyred and six others sustained injuries.
Attack on Police Checkpost Near Mangi Dam
The second and deadliest incident occurred on July 6 near the pumping station of Mangi Dam, where militants attacked a police checkpost.
According to the military spokesperson, police personnel fought the attackers courageously, killing 15 militants during the initial engagement. However, before reinforcements from security forces could arrive, several police officers were taken hostage by the attackers.
The militants reportedly left behind the bodies of 15 of their fighters while retreating from the checkpost.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said the hostage police personnel belonged to Balochistan and security forces surrounded the militants carefully because the captives’ lives were at risk.
He explained that security forces remained engaged with the militants in the mountains near Ziarat from July 6 onwards. As the security cordon tightened, the militants allegedly killed 18 hostage police personnel.
The DG ISPR said the deaths of 11 militants had been confirmed during this engagement, although the final number could be higher.
He added that the Mangi checkpost attack had so far resulted in the martyrdom of 27 police personnel, while 26 militants had been killed in connection with the incident.
Third Incident in Bela
The third incident took place on Tuesday in Bela, where a military convoy came under attack by militants belonging to the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), according to the DG ISPR.
He said security forces responded to the attack and killed 14 militants during the exchange of fire.
The operation, however, claimed the lives of one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and 10 soldiers, who were martyred while carrying out their duties.
Lt Gen Chaudhry also announced that separate intelligence-based operations were conducted in Kharan and Dalbandin, where security forces killed six and eight militants, respectively.
Total Militant Death Toll Reaches 54
Summarising the operations, the DG ISPR said 54 militants had been killed by security forces and law enforcement agencies during the past four days.
He stressed that operations against terrorist networks and their facilitators would continue until they were completely dismantled.
Allegations Against India and Afghan Territory
During the press conference, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry alleged that Pakistan’s enemies were behind the recent wave of terrorist violence.
He claimed that India and other hostile elements were sponsoring terrorist activities aimed at undermining Pakistan’s security, prosperity and stability.
The military spokesperson further alleged that Afghan territory under the control of the Afghan Taliban administration was being used by militant groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan.
According to him, many of the militants killed in recent operations were Afghan nationals. He also referred to an earlier attack in Karachi, claiming that three of the four attackers involved were Afghan nationals and that militant groups were receiving logistical support from across the border.
Remarks on Afghan Taliban
The DG ISPR said the Afghan Taliban authorities had objections to projects that were intended to improve the lives of the people of Balochistan.
He cited infrastructure initiatives, including the water pipeline supplying Quetta, while alleging that militant groups opposed development projects benefiting local communities.
Commitment to Continue Counterterrorism Operations
Lt Gen Chaudhry reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to continue military operations against militant groups on a daily basis.
He said the state’s policy against terrorism had remained consistent over the past three years and reiterated the official position that militant organisations did not represent the people of Balochistan or Islam.
He also stated that action would continue against illegal foreign residents and individuals involved in supporting militant activities.
Pakistan Will Continue the Fight Against Terrorism
Concluding the briefing, the DG ISPR said Pakistan’s armed forces, police and other law enforcement agencies, together with the public, remained united in the fight against terrorism.
He pledged that every militant and facilitator would be pursued and brought to justice, expressing confidence that the country’s counterterrorism campaign would ultimately succeed.
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