Six security personnel martyred in Balochistan attacks

QUETTA/RAWALPINDI: In the latest attack on security personnel, six law enforcers were martyred in Balochistan on Sunday.

According to ISPR, a combat patrol of security forces was initiated in the general area of Balor, Hoshab area. It was based on credible intelligence about a group of terrorists linked with firing incidents on security forces and civilians besides planting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

According to the ISPR press release, while the establishment of blocking positions to cut the escape routes was underway, terrorists tried to ambush a patrol party and opened fire on security forces. As a result of the heavy exchange of fire, two brave sons of the nation, Major Saqib Hussain and Naik Baqir Ali, embraced Shahadat while another soldier got injured.

It said the follow-up operation to nab the perpetrators of the attack continues in the area. “Security forces, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart such attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan,” the ISPR added.

Earlier, in the day, unidentified gunmen attacked two checkposts in Balochistan’s Sherani District.

Police officials confirmed that the assailants opened fire on the checkposts, leading to the martyrdom of four personnel. They further added that one attacker was killed in retaliatory firing and a search operation had started in the area following the incident.

According to SP Sherani, Irfan Ali, unidentified terrorists attacked the checkpost of Sherani police on Dera Ismail Khan-Zhob Highway in the Dana Sir area. Three police personnel, Sub Inspector Bahadur Khan, Muhammad Afzal and Baz Khan, were martyred. The bodies were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital, Zhob.

Separately, one FC personnel was killed after unidentified terrorists attacked a check-post of FC with sophisticated weapons in Dana Sir area on Zhob-Dera Ismail Khan main highway of District Sherani.

Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo condemned the attacks. “Terrorists cannot demoralise security forces with cowardly acts,” the CM said, adding, “The sacrifices of security forces are a torch for the nation.” Security forces are ensuring security of the country and the nation with firm determination and courage, he said.

Meanwhile, Balochistan Minister for Home and Tribal Affairs Mir Ziaullah Longove on Sunday strongly condemned the attack on security forces at a check-post in Dheransar area of Balochistan. He also expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of three policemen and one Frontier Corps (FC) personnel.

The minister paid tributes to the martyred police and FC personnel, saying that terrorists could not defeat the determination and courage of the forces with their cowardly attacks. He said measures would be taken to eliminate the nefarious design of anti-peace elements by the contribution of security forces and the nation. He prayed to Allah Almighty to raise the ranks of martyrs and give patience to the families and speedy recovery of injured personnel.

On the other hand, security forces gunned down three terrorists in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the general area of Kulachi, Dera Ismail Khan.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Sunday, weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain terrorists who were killed in an intense fire exchange during the operation. “The killed terrorists remained actively involved in various terrorist activities against security forces, police and innocent civilians,” the military’s media wing added.

The communique also said that the armed assailants were also highly wanted for conducting a raid on a police check-post in Kulachi on April 11, 2022, which resulted in the martyrdom of five brave police constables. “Sanitization of the area is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found in the area,” the ISPR said, adding that security forces are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism.