ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Security forces killed 21 terrorists belonging to Indian-sponsored terrorist groups in separate encounters in southwestern provice of Balochistan during the night of August 31 and September 1, the military media wing said on Tuesday.
The security forces gave an effective response during multiple incidents in Nokcha, Chagai District, and Ziarat Cross, Pishin District.
“On 31 August, terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan [Baloch Liberation Army] attempted to disrupt the peaceful movement of commuters along N-40 Quetta–Taftan Highway by establishing an illegal checkpoint for extortion,” the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
The ISPR said that the security forces responded “immediately” and, after an intense fire exchange, killed eleven terrorists on the spot, with a large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives recovered from the terrorists.
However, during the exchange of fire, six security personnel, including two officers and a government official from the Customs Department, made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and embraced martyrdom.
“During the night of 31 August–1 September, terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij [TTP] launched a coordinated attack in an attempt to breach the Customs House. Security forces responded effectively and, after an intense fire exchange, killed ten terrorists,” it added.
The security forces engaged fleeing terrorists, inflicting further casualties.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari lauded the security forces for terminating 21 terrorists in the Chagai and Panjgur areas of Balochistan.
“President Zardari pays tribute to security forces for foiling the terrorists' attack on the Customs House and thwarting the terrorists' attempts to establish an illegal checkpoint on the Quetta-Taftan Highway to disrupt the movement of passengers,” said the President Secretariat Media Wing in a statement on X.
The President of Pakistan commended the professional capabilities of the security forces for their effective action against the terrorists of Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij.
President Zardari expressed grief over the martyrdom of six brave soldiers, including two officers and one customs official, during the operation against terrorism.
Separately, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also paid tribute to security forces for killing 21 terrorists of Fitna-ul-Kharij and Fitna-ul-Hindustan in the various operations.
According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), PM Sharif expressed grief over the martyrdom of the soldiers and government officers.
PM Sharif further added that the sacrifices of the soldiers in the war against terrorism would never go in vain, he said that the government was determined to completely eradicate terrorism from the country.
“The attack on the Customs House was a manifestation of the terror-crime nexus, orchestrated to prevent Customs officials from performing their lawful duties and thereby facilitate the continuation of criminal activities in the area,” the statement added.
The ISPR further added that sanitization operations are continuing in the surrounding areas to eliminate any remaining terrorists and ensure the safety and security of the local population as well as the vital national highways.
The ISPR statement said that the counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam,” as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, will continue with full resolve as the security forces and law enforcement agencies remain committed to eliminating the menace of foreign-sponsored and foreign-supported terrorism from the country.