Quetta: At least nine police personnel were martyred after heavily armed militants attacked a police checkpost in the Mangi area of Ziarat district, Balochistan, officials said. Authorities later announced that 15 militants were killed during a subsequent security clearance operation.

According to Ziarat SP Abdul Qadoos, armed assailants launched an attack on the police checkpost, triggering an intense exchange of gunfire. Nine police officers and personnel lost their lives while defending the post.

The bodies of the fallen officers were shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, the police official confirmed.

SP Abdul Qadoos initially stated that the attackers had taken five police personnel with them after the assault. Security forces immediately launched efforts to locate and recover the abducted officers.

Later, Balochistan Chief Minister’s spokesperson Shahid Rind announced that a large-scale clearance operation had been successfully completed against the militants responsible for the attack.

According to Shahid Rind, the operation was jointly carried out by the Frontier Corps (FC), Balochistan Police, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Special Operations Wing (SOW), and the Anti-Terrorist Force (ATF).

He said 15 militants were killed during the operation, adding that the attackers had “paid a heavy price” for targeting law enforcement personnel and attempting to undermine peace in Balochistan.

Shahid Rind stated that the nine martyred personnel included the Station House Officers (SHOs) of Mangi and Kowas police stations, the ATF in-charge, and several other police officers and officials.

He further said that DSP Ghulam Sarwar, along with eight other police personnel, safely reached Kach Police Station, while Constable Rizwan, who had been taken during the attack, was also recovered safely.

The provincial government reiterated that there would be no safe haven for terrorists in Balochistan and vowed that every attack on security forces would receive a decisive response. It added that intelligence-based operations against militant groups would continue across the province.

Meanwhile, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the attack and paid tribute to the nine martyred police personnel.

Expressing his condolences to the bereaved families, the interior minister prayed for patience and strength for the relatives of the victims.

He described the fallen officers as heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country’s peace and security, saying their sacrifices would never be forgotten.

Mohsin Naqvi added that such attacks would not succeed in sabotaging peace and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating terrorism and supporting the country’s security forces.

The attack is among the latest incidents highlighting the security challenges in parts of Balochistan, where security forces continue to conduct operations against militant groups. Officials have vowed to maintain pressure on militants through sustained intelligence-led operations to restore lasting peace in the region.