13 more terrorists killed in Op Shaban in Balochistan over 24 hours: security sources

• Army, FC and police taking part in operations.
• Five to six militants killed in helicopter operations.
• 75 militants killed in Balochistan since July 5.
  

At least 13 more India-backed terrorists have been killed during ongoing Operation Shaban in Balochistan, raising the total number of militants killed in the operation to 39, security sources said on Friday.

The operation was launched in the aftermath of the attack on the Mangi Dam police station and is being carried out jointly by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police, security sources said.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Wednesday said that India-backed terrorists attacked the checkpoint, but police personnel fought the terrorists bravely and killed 15 militants during the initial engagement.

At the time, the military spokesperson said nine police personnel embraced martyrdom in the initial fighting, adding that militants had taken police personnel hostage before security forces reached the area.

The military spokesperson had said security forces carefully tightened the cordon around the militants because “our children were being held hostage.”

He said that security forces remained engaged with the militants in the mountains of Ziarat from July 6. “When the terrorists realised the cordon had tightened, these cowards martyred 18 police personnel.”

Lt Gen Chaudhry said 27 police personnel embraced martyrdom in the Mangi checkpoint attack, while 26 militants were killed in that operation.

Meanwhile, security sources said today that an attack on a police station in Khuzdar was also repelled, adding that Pakistan Army and FC troops carried out an operation in response, with reports indicating that eight militants were killed.

They further said that, since July 5, a total of 75 militants had been killed during Operation Shaban and other intelligence-based operations.

They further said that, since July 5, a total of 75 militants had been killed during Operation Shaban and other intelligence-based operations.

Separately, security sources also reported that five to six militants were killed in helicopter operations.

‘Eastern neighbour’ behind attacks

While security forces inflicted heavy losses on terrorists in ongoing operations, 42 people, including security personnel and civilians, were martyred in three recent terrorist attacks in Balochistan.

Addressing a meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee on the National Action Plan in Quetta on Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the resolve of the civil and military leadership to eliminate India-backed terrorism in Balochistan.

“We have to thwart the nefarious designs of Fitna al-Khawarij. He said that the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces.

“This war [against terrorism] will continue until the last terrorist in Pakistan is eliminated,” the premier added.

Referring to India, PM Shehbaz said Pakistan’s “eastern neighbour” was behind the terrorist attacks, adding that Afghan soil was being used to launch attacks in Pakistan.

The prime minister said that the “enemy was unable to digest Pakistan’s diplomatic achievements.”

Premier Shehbaz reaffirmed that all available resources will be utilised to eradicate the scourge of terrorism and put the country on the path of sustainable development and prosperity.

A day prior to that, Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir reiterated that terrorism emanating from across the borders will be crushed with the full might of the state.

Addressing a ceremony at the National Defence University, Field Marshal Munir said that the armed forces remained fully cognizant of state-sponsored attempts by hostile intelligence agencies to destabilise Pakistan.

Efforts of such proxies and networks, who operate under the tutelage of hostile intelligence agencies, are futile and will not be allowed to undermine Pakistan’s internal security and economic prosperity, the army chief added.