RAWALPINDI: Eighteen soldiers were martyred while foiling cowardly act of terrorism in Kalat district of Balochistan on the night of Friday and Saturday.
Security forces also eliminated 23 terrorists during the engagement and later on in a follow-up operation in Harnai district on Saturday. On the night of January 31 and February 1, terrorists attempted to establish roadblocks in general area Mangocher, Kalat district of Balochistan. “On behest of inimical and hostile forces, this cowardly act of terrorism was aimed at disrupting the peaceful environment of Balochistan by targeting mainly innocent civilians,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
The security forces and law-enforcement agencies were immediately mobilised, who successfully thwarted the evil design of terrorists and sent 12 terrorists to hell, ensuring security and protection of the local populace. However, during the conduct of operations, 18 brave sons of soil, having fought gallantly, made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat. In the backdrop of heinous act of terrorism in Kalat district, multiple sanitisation operations are being conducted by the security forces throughout the province.
In an another operation conducted in Harnai district, troops effectively engaged terrorists, as a result of which 11 terrorists were sent to hell. Multiple terrorist hideouts were also busted.
Earlier, on night of 31 January and February 1, while successfully thwarting terrorists’ attempt to establish roadblock in general area Mangocher, Kalat district, 12 terrorists were sent to hell. So far, a total of 23 terrorists had been sent to hell in different operations in Balochistan in the last 24 hours.
The sanitisation operations will continue until perpetrators and facilitators of the heinous and cowardly act are brought to justice.
Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir reassured the army’s resolve to ensure security and well-being of the people of Balochistan. He also reaffirmed his commitment to support the provincial government in its efforts to promote peace, stability and development in the region.
The COAS visited Balochistan where he was given a comprehensive briefing on the prevailing security situation in the area. He, along with governor and chief minister of Balochistan, offered Namaz-e-Janaza of the martyred soldiers and also visited the injured soldiers at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Quetta, and appreciated their unwavering commitment to defending the country at all costs. The COAS highlighted that those who are acting as terrorist proxies of their foreign masters, who have mastered the art of manifesting double standards of hunting with the hound and running with the hare, are well known. “No matter what these so-called ‘frenemies’ may do, you will surely be defeated by the resilience of our proud nation and its armed forces In-sha-Allah. For the defence of our motherland and its people, we will definitely retaliate and ‘hunt you down’, whenever required and wherever you may be,” the COAS said.
The COAS also appreciated the efforts of valiant officers and soldiers of army, Frontier Corps and law-enforcement agencies for their courage and determination towards fighting terrorism.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the terrorist attack in Kalat and praised security forces over the successful operation and killing of terrorists in Harnai.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also paid a glowing tribute to the 18 soldiers of Frontier Corps who embraced martyrdom while courageously confronting terrorists in Kalat district of Balochistan.
Separately, Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan Saturday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Kalat district and said the entire nation stands with its security forces in the war against terrorism.
Asim Yasin adds: President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday visited the native village of Major Hamza Israr Shaheed. According to an announcement of President House on Saturday, President Zardari offered Fateha at the grave of Major Hamza Israr who embraced martyrdom during an operation against terrorists in Mir Ali, North Waziristan.
He laid a wreath at the grave of the martyred officer and paid him tribute. He also met with the heirs of Major Hamza and expressed condolences.
AFP adds: Separatist militant group, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed on Saturday an attack on soldiers in Kalat. The BLA claimed it had carried out multiple “operations”.
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