Eight terrorists killed as security forces thwart attack on Gwadar Port Authority colony

GWADAR: Security forces thwarted an attack on Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) Complex on Wednesday, killing all eight terrorists, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday. 

"Own troops employed for security responded immediately and effectively engaged the terrorists, and in ensuing fire exchange, all eight terrorists were sent to hell," the military's media wing said.

A large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives was also recovered from the killed terrorists.

The ISPR said two brave soldiers — Sepoy Bahar Khan (age 35 years, resident of district DG Khan) and Sepoy Imran Ali (age 28 years, resident of district Khairpur) — having fought gallantly, sacrificed their lives and embraced Shahadat during the exchange of fire.

"Security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation remain determined to thwart attempts of sabotaging peace and stability of Balochistan, and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve," it added.

Eyewitnesses said that they heard multiple explosions after firing in the complex which houses passport office, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) office, and other government offices.

An explosion was also heard before the firing, police officials told the media, adding that the entire area was cordoned off by security personnel.

Meanwhile, Makran Division commissioner confirmed the incident and number of slain terrorists.

Reacting to the development, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah condemned the attack on the GPA complex, saying: “Elimination of the terrorists is final and the determination of our military men is strong."

CPEC is the future of Pakistan and we will not allow any harm to it under any circumstances, the CM added.

Today’s attack follows a fierce terrorist attack on a security forces' check post in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) last week, as the country witnesses a spike in such attacks, resulting in deaths of hundreds of civilians and law enforcement officials.

Following the Mir Ali attack, which resulted in martyrdom of seven Pakistan Army soldiers — including a lieutenant colonel and captain — Pakistani forces carried out intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in the border regions inside Afghanistan against terrorists launching attacks in Pakistan from Afghan soil.

'Terrorists from Afghanistan behind rise in terror attacks'

As the country witnesses another wave of terrorist activities, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said that the continuous use of Afghan soil is behind the “growing terrorism in Pakistan”.

A statement issued by the military’s media wing on Monday said that Pakistan’s security forces have been engaged in the war against terrorism for the past two decades.

“It is clear to all that the recent wave of terrorism in Pakistan has full support and assistance of Afghanistan,” it added.

The communique further stated that the rise in terror attacks in Pakistan is a result of supply of modern weapons into the country “with the help of Afghan Taliban”.

The ISPR said that there is clear evidence of Afghan terrorists’ involvement in attack on Zhob Garrison on July 12, 2023, in which nine soldiers embraced martyrdom and five terrorists were killed.

Clear evidence of terrorists coming from Afghanistan, the military’s media wing said, is the reason behind growing incidents of terrorism.

A day after the attack, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had said militants were using Afghanistan soil to carry out terrorist attacks inside Pakistan.

“Terrorism against us is mostly being conducted from Afghanistan,” the defence minister had said while speaking to the media in Sialkot.

On Monday, Pakistani forces carried out intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in the border regions inside Afghanistan against terrorists launching attacks in Pakistan from Afghan soil.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the target of the operation was the terrorists belonging to Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, which along with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), is responsible for the March 16 attack in Mir Ali, North Waziristan and multiple other terrorist attacks in the country, resulting in deaths of hundreds of civilians and law enforcement officials.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed that Pakistan would no longer tolerate cross-border terrorism following the Mir Ali attack in North Waziristan which martyred seven army soldiers.

"If the soil of a neighbouring country is used for terrorism then it will not be acceptable," the prime minister told the federal cabinet meeting which was televised on state-run PTV News.