RAWALPINDI/ QUETTA: Security forces neutralised three more terrorists in Balochistan’s Zhob district — bringing the total number of terrorists killed in the four-day anti-infiltration operation in the Sambaza area along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border to 50.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Tuesday that weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the militants belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al-Khwarij — outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — on the night between August 10 and August 11.
Security forces remain committed to securing the nation’s frontiers and thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Pakistan, the military’s media wing added.
The development comes as the forces had successfully engaged and neutralised 33 terrorists attempting to infiltrate from Afghanistan into Pakistan on the night between August 7 and 8.
This was followed by another action where 14 more terrorists were gunned down on August 9, bringing the-then total to 47 killed terrorists.
Reacting to the development, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday commended the officers and personnel of the security forces for carrying out another successful operation against Khawarij.
Meanwhile, at least nine soldiers were martyred in a terrorist attack in Balochistan, government officials said on Tuesday.
A senior government official of Washuk district, where the terrorist attack took place, said dozens of terrorists attacked a police station and a border force compound. “The army was attacked by terrorists on their way to respond,” he told AFP on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.
“There were around 40 to 50 terrorists on motorbikes who attacked government buildings and ransacked them,” said a senior official from the province’s interior department who asked not to be named, confirming to AFP that nine soldiers were martyred. The officials said that six other soldiers were also wounded in the attack.
A senior official from the province’s interior department said the terrorists hurled hand grenades at the Frontier Corps compound in Basima city of Washuk district. No group has claimed the attack.
Mohammad Zafar Baloch adds: The Balochistan government has imposed a province-wide ban on night travel for public transport, prohibiting operations on provincial highways from 5 pm to 5 am. Violators will face cancellation of their route permits.
The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Provincial Secretary for Transport Muhammad Hayat Kakar, attended by transporters and their representatives. The meeting resolved to strictly enforce the Home Department’s directives restricting night operations.
Kakar said all deputy commissioners have been directed to ensure public transport services are halted during the restricted hours. Transporters must also install trackers in passenger coaches, deploy security guards and comply with anti-smuggling measures.