At least 18 Pakistani soldiers were killed by Baloch rebels in ambushes set up in Kalat district of Balochistan in the night between January 31 and February 1. The encounters targeting the soldiers were mainly concentrated in Mangochar area of Kalat, according to reports. It bears mention here that the Baloch rebels are fighting for an independent nation of Balochistan.
On Thursday, two army personnel, including a Major, were killed in exchange of fire with terrorists in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan in neighbouring Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. The martyred security personnel, meanwhile, were identified as Major Hamza Israr and sepoy Muhammad Naeem.
In the past few months, the Federal government of Pakistan has signalled to the Pakistani security forces to neutralise the rebels owing allegiance to groups like Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF). This has led to brutalisation of local population at a very large scale leading to condemnation from activists like Dr Mahrang Baloch.
An Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release issued on Saturday admitted the large number of fatal casualties suffered by the Army. However, it also claimed that in retaliatory action, at least 23 terrorists were killed in two separate incidents in the last 24 hours.
According to the ISPR statement, on the night between January 31 and February 1, terrorists attempted to establish roadblocks in the general area of Mangocher in Kalat district. It was here that 18 soldiers “made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom” during the conduct of operations. It added that sanitisation operations were being conducted and the “perpetrators, facilitators and abettors of this heinous and cowardly act, will be brought to justice”.
President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Kalat district in a statement on X, expressing “deep sorrow and regret” over the martyrdom of security personnel. He paid tribute to the soldiers for taking timely action against terrorists and sacrificing their lives for the country, praising their bravery, a report in Dawn said.
The ISPR statement said that on receiving intelligence about the road blocks, security forces were mobilised. The troops “successfully thwarted the evil design of terrorists and sent 12 terrorists to hell, ensuring security and protection of the local populace”.
In a follow-up statement, the ISPR said that in the backdrop of the “heinous act of terrorism” in Kalat district, multiple santisation operations were being conducted by the security forces throughout the province. In one such operation was conducted in Harnai district today where “troops effectively engaged the terrorists as a result of which 11 terrorists were sent to hell. Multiple terrorist hideouts were also busted.”
The total number of terrorists killed in these two sanitisation operations stood at 23, according to the ISPR. The retaliatory strikes were continuing in several areas and prominent Baloch personalities have alleged that high handed behaviour of the Pakistani forces often triggered the clashes.
Condemning the attack, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the entire nation was determined to thwart the evil intentions of terrorists and paid tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. “The evil intentions of the enemies of peace in Balochistan will never be allowed to succeed. Those who spread mischief in Balochistan are the enemies of the development and prosperity of Balochistan.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti vowed that the perpetrators of the “cowardly attack” would be brought to justice. “There is no place for terrorists in Balochistan. All possible steps are being taken to protect the people and establish peace,” he said while also paying tribute to the security forces for their timely action.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces and martyrs for their actions against the terrorists. “We are proud of the bravery of the martyred soldiers and the martyrs are the heroes of the nation. The brave sons became immortal by sacrificing themselves for the homeland and attained the high status of martyrdom. The nation salutes the great sacrifice of the 18 soldiers. We stand with the families of the martyrs. We appreciate the sacrifices of the security forces in the war against terrorism.’’
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq also condemned the attack in Kalat, saying that people rejected elements that disrupted the country’s peace.
