At least 91 terrorists belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khwarij (FAK) and Fitna Al-Hindustan (FAH) have been killed in security operations across Balochistan since July 5, security sources said on Friday.
According to the sources, Operation Shaban was launched by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police following the terrorist attack on the Mangi Dam Police Station.
Security sources said 26 terrorists were killed during operations conducted on July 6 and 7.
They added that security forces have since intensified the operation by tightening the cordon around militants in mountainous areas through coordinated ground and aerial actions.
According to the sources, 17 more terrorists were killed during the past 24 hours.
Separately, security sources said security forces repulsed a terror attack on a police station in the Zehri area of Khuzdar on Friday morning.
They said that eight terrorists were killed in a swift response by the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps, while reports indicated that five to six more terrorists were killed during helicopter-assisted operations.
Overall, security sources said 91 terrorists have been killed in Operation Shaban and other intelligence-based operations carried out across Balochistan since July 5.
Terrorists ambushed police personnel deployed in the Kach Mangi Phase III area of Ziarat on Tuesday, triggering hours-long gun battles that left nine police officers, including two station house officers, dead. Terrorists also abducted several civilians and police personnel after the attack. The military subsequently launched a series of counterterrorism operations across Balochistan.
Earlier, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that 42 people, including 11 soldiers, 27 police personnel and four civilians, were martyred in three separate attacks carried out by Fitna al Khwarij (FAK) and Fitna Al-Hindustan (FAH) in Balochistan.
Addressing a press conference, Lt Gen Chaudhry said security forces subsequently launched intelligence-based and follow-up operations, killing 54 terrorists. He also said that India was orchestrating the terrorist attacks in Balochistan, adding that Pakistani security forces had responded swiftly and effectively to the incidents.
Separately, four suspected militants were killed during a joint intelligence-based operation (IBO) carried out by Karak and Kohat police in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Karak district, police officials said.
According to the Central Police Office (CPO), the operation was launched in the Khattak Dam area after security forces received intelligence about the presence of suspected militants. During the operation, the suspects allegedly opened fire on the police party, prompting a retaliatory response.
The CPO said four suspected militants were killed in the exchange of fire. Officials added that those killed were believed to be affiliated with the Commander Zahid group.
Police said the suspected militants were wanted in cases related to the killings of several police officers and personnel. Authorities are continuing efforts to confirm their identities and verify their criminal records.
The Central Police Office said the area has been cordoned off and a search operation is underway. It added that counterterrorism operations will continue without interruption until terrorism is eliminated from the province.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday paid tribute to the security forces for the successful execution of Operation Shaaban by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police after the Mangi Dam Police Station incident.
The president commending the professionalism of the security forces and law enforcement agencies underlined that the Operation Shaaban has once again proven that the forces are fully capable of dealing with every threat, a Presidency’s news release said.
President Zardari underlined that the inimical elements employing proxy elements against Pakistan would not succeed in their nefarious designs as national resolve was stronger than any conspiracy.
In a separate news release from the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz Sharif also praised the courage and valour of the security forces.
The prime minister said the killing of 75 terrorists so far in the grand operation against Fitna-ul-Khawarij was a testament to the high professionalism of the security forces. He emphasised that the strategy of the operation adopted by the forces in difficult mountainous terrain was commendable.