9 terrorists killed as security forces foil attack on PAF training base in Mianwali

RAWALPINDI: RAWALPINDI: All nine terrorists who attacked the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) training air base in Mianwali have been gunned down by the security forces, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military has successfully concluded a combing and clearance operation at the training air base with all nine terrorists “sent to hell”.

“The successful operation was launched by security forces to eliminate any potential threat in the surrounding area following the cowardly and failed terrorist attack on the base this morning,” the statement read.

It added that no damage had been done to any of the PAF’s functional operational assets, while only some damage was done to three already phased-out non-operational aircraft during the attack.

“The prompt and professional conclusion of the operation serves as a stark reminder to all enemies of peace that Pakistan's Armed Forces remain vigilant and are fully capable of defending the homeland from any threat,” the ISPR mentioned in its statement.

Earlier today, the ISPR said a terror attack on the training facility of the PAF was thwarted and all the personnel and assets were declared safe.

“On 04 November, 2023, in the early hours of the day, Mianwali Training Air Base of Pakistan Air Force came under a failed terrorist attack which, Alhumdolliah, due to the swift and effective response by the troops, has been foiled and thwarted, ensuring the safety and security of personnel and assets,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

It said that the military demonstrated exceptional courage and killed three terrorists when they attempted to enter the base.

The ISPR further added that the remaining three terrorists have been cornered/isolated due to a timely and effective response by the troops

“However, during the attack, some damage to three already grounded aircraft and a fuel bowser also occurred.”

The military said that a comprehensive joint clearance and combing operation is in the final stages to completely clear the area.

“Pakistan Armed Forces remain committed to eliminating the menace of terrorism from the country at all costs.”

'Nation stands with you'

In his condemnation message, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar commended the Pakistan Air Force for thwarting the terrorist attack.

“The valiant Pakistan Air Force has once again proven its mettle by thwarting a cowardly terrorist attack in Mianwali,” the prime minister wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

 He said any attempt to undermine the security would meet with unwavering resistance. “The nation stands with you and we salute your courage and resolve.”

'We’re determined to preserve peace and stability'

Former PM Shehbaz Sharif condemned the terror attack, saying that these repeated attacks reveal our enemies’ desperation, but the country stands resilient.

"Our forces are vigilant, united to defeat terrorism. We’re determined to preserve peace and stability. Prayers for the affected families and our brave security personnel," he added. 

14 soldiers martyred in terrorist attack

A day earlier, 14 soldiers were martyred in a terrorist attack on two vehicles carrying security forces in Gwadar. The incident occurred when the security convoy was moving from Pasni to Ormara in Gwadar district.

ISPR said that a sanitisation operation was being carried out in the area and perpetrators of "this heinous act will be hunted down [and] brought to justice".

Interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani strongly condemned the terrorist attack.

"Such acts are utterly reprehensible. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the martyred and injured. Pakistan stands resolute against terrorists," he said in a post on X.

TTP suicide bomber among two terrorists killed in KP IBOs

Moreover, two terrorists, including a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) suicide bomber, were killed while two others were injured in separate intelligence-based operations (IBO) in different areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday.

Three soldiers also lost their lives in one of the IBOs and a separate incident of an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in the Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan district.

In a separate IBO conducted in Lakki Marwat district, the security forces busted various terrorist hideouts, killing one terrorist.

Unfortunately, two soldiers — Naik Zafar Iqbal, 37, from Gujranwala and Sepoy Haji Jan, 30 from Gilgit Baltistan — lost their lives while fighting gallantly in an intense exchange of fire.

Moreover, another soldier, Havildar Shahid Iqbal, 39, from Mirpurkhas, embraced martyrdom in an IED blast in the Kulachi area of DI Khan.

Pakistan has been facing the daunting challenge of terrorism for the last year as several incidents of terror and violence have taken place lately. Earlier today, 14 soldiers were martyred as terrorists attacked a security forces convoy in Gwadar.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir last week said that the armed forces and its security and intelligence setups have fought the menace of terrorism in an exemplary manner despite sustained and varied support of inimical forces.

"Success will be ours InshAllah with the continued support of the people of Pakistan," COAS Munir said.

Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), in a report released in October, noted that the security forces lost at least 386 personnel in the first nine months of 2023, marking an eight-year high.

In the third quarter of 2023, some 445 people lost their lives and 440 suffered injuries from as many as 190 terror attacks and counter-terror operations.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan were the primary centres of violence, accounting for nearly 94% of all fatalities and 89% of attacks (including incidents of terrorism and security forces operations) recorded during this period.