“Dozens of Civilians and 14 Security Personnel Martyred in Muskhel, Kalat, and Lasbela Attacks”
In a significant counteroffensive, security forces in Balochistan successfully eliminated 21 terrorists during clearance operations following a series of brutal attacks on civilians and security personnel. The tragic events, which unfolded on Sunday night, left 14 security personnel dead, including ten soldiers and four law enforcement officers, according to a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Monday.
Deadly Attacks on Security Forces and Civilians
The attacks, carried out in multiple districts of Balochistan, were described by the ISPR as a deliberate attempt by “inimical and hostile forces” to destabilize the region. The terrorists specifically targeted civilians in Musakhel, Kalat, and Lasbela districts, resulting in a tragic loss of life.
In Musakhel district, terrorists ambushed a passenger bus in the Rara Sham area, mercilessly executing passengers after confirming their identities. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ayub Achakzai confirmed that 23 people, mostly from Punjab province, were killed in this massacre. The attackers also set 35 vehicles ablaze before fleeing the scene, leaving a trail of destruction.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for these heinous attacks in a statement sent to journalists, asserting that they were behind several other recent assaults, including one on a major paramilitary base. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
Security Forces Respond with Clearance Operations
In response to the Musakhel massacre, security forces and law enforcement agencies launched immediate clearance operations. These operations successfully neutralized 21 terrorists, preventing further bloodshed and restoring a degree of safety to the affected areas.
“The evil design of the terrorists was successfully thwarted,” the ISPR stated, emphasizing that ongoing sanitization operations would ensure that the instigators, perpetrators, facilitators, and abettors of these horrific acts are brought to justice.
Further Violence in Kalat
In Kalat district, another deadly attack claimed the lives of ten people, including police officers and Balochistan Levies personnel. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dostin Dashti reported that the victims included a police sub-inspector, four Levies personnel, and five civilians. The attack began along the national highway and extended into the city before the assailants fled, prompting further security operations.
Kalat Assistant Commissioner Aftab Ahmed and a Levies officer were injured in the attack. They were transported to a hospital, where their conditions are reported to be stable.
Condemnations from Government Officials
The terrorist attacks drew widespread condemnation from Pakistani government officials. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif both strongly denounced the violence. President Zardari labeled the killing of innocent civilians as “an attack on humanity,” emphasizing that such terrorists are enemies of both Pakistan and humanity. He urged for the perpetrators to be swiftly brought to justice.
Prime Minister Sharif echoed these sentiments, directing local authorities to provide immediate support to the victims’ families and ensure medical care for the injured. “Those responsible will face severe punishment,” he asserted, stressing that terrorism in any form is intolerable in Pakistan. The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to combat terrorism, stating, “The entire nation stands with the security forces in the fight against terrorism. We remain determined to thwart any efforts to destabilize Balochistan.”
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti also extended his condolences to the victims’ families and pledged that the attackers and their facilitators would not evade justice. “The government will relentlessly pursue those responsible,” he vowed.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar condemned the targeting of innocent passengers, vowing that all those involved, including facilitators, would be brought to justice. Similar sentiments were echoed by Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, and Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who all expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the attacks.
Conclusion
The recent wave of terrorist violence in Balochistan has underscored the persistent threats to peace and security in the region. However, the resolute response from security forces and the unified condemnation from government officials signal Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring justice for the victims of these atrocities.