PM Shehbaz, President Zardari praised security forces and Balochistan Police for their operation against terrorists
Security forces pictured during a patrol. — FILE PHOTO
RAWALPINDI:
Eighteen terrorists affiliated with Fitna-al Hindustan were killed after a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) detonated prematurely while being prepared, followed by a joint clearance operation in Balochistan’s Surab district, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the blast occurred on the morning of August 12 while the explosives-laden vehicle was being prepared by terrorists.
“The premature detonation during preparation resulted in the confirmed killing of eight terrorists, with multiple others injured. However, the blast and secondary detonation of other explosives stored there by the terrorists of Indian proxy have also reportedly caused tragic casualties among three nearby civilians,” it said.
The statement said security forces and Balochistan Police reached the site and launched a joint clearance operation to trace the perpetrators and their facilitators.
“During the operation, security forces proactively detected the movement of fleeing terrorists, effectively engaged and neutralised ten more. In total, eighteen terrorists affiliated with Fitna-al Hindustan have been eliminated in these incidents so far. However, during the intense exchange of fire, two brave soldiers also sustained injuries,” the ISPR said.
It further added that sanitisation operations were continuing in the area to eliminate any remaining terrorists.
“The relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam (as approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan) by the security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” it said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari praised security forces and Balochistan Police for their operation against terrorists.
In a statement, PM Shehbaz expressed grief over the loss of civilian lives and said “Fitna-al Hindustan terrorists are enemies of the peace and people of Balochistan.”
The prime minister said the fight against terrorism would continue until the complete elimination of the menace from the country.
President Zardari expressed his best wishes for the speedy recovery of two soldiers injured during the operation.
He also conveyed his condolences over the deaths of civilians and said that “Operations against Fitna-al Hindustan terrorists and their facilitators should continue.”
He added that the nation was determined to eliminate foreign-backed terrorism from Pakistan.
