ISLAMABAD: Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said security forces and law enforcement agencies killed 54 militants in operations across Balochistan over the past four days, while 42 security personnel, police officers and civilians were killed in three major terrorist incidents.

Speaking at a press briefing on the security situation in Balochistan, the DG ISPR said militants targeted innocent civilians in an attempt to spread fear, but the people of Balochistan and security personnel responded with courage and determination.

Three Major Terrorist Incidents

Lt Gen Chaudhry said three major terrorist incidents occurred in Balochistan during the last four days.

The first incident took place during the night between July 4 and July 5 in Hanna Urak, where militants attacked local residents.

According to the military spokesperson, local residents resisted the attackers and forced them to retreat. During the incident, four civilians were killed and six others injured.

Mangi Dam Checkpost Attack

The second incident occurred on July 6 near the pumping station of Mangi Dam, where militants attacked a police checkpost.

The DG ISPR said police personnel fought the attackers bravely, killing 15 militants during the initial exchange of fire. However, before reinforcements arrived, the militants took several police officers hostage.

He said the attackers abandoned the bodies of 15 militants while retreating from the checkpost.

According to Lt Gen Chaudhry, security forces carefully surrounded the militants because the hostages’ lives were at risk. Operations continued in the mountains near Ziarat from July 6 onward.

He said that as security forces tightened the cordon, the militants killed 18 hostage police personnel. The deaths of 11 militants during the operation have been confirmed, although the total number could be higher.

The DG ISPR added that the Mangi checkpost attack has so far claimed the lives of 27 police personnel, while 26 militants have been killed in connection with the operation.

Bela Operation

The third incident took place on Tuesday in Bela, where a military convoy came under attack by militants belonging to the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).

According to the DG ISPR, security forces responded by killing 14 militants during the exchange of fire.

The operation also resulted in the deaths of one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and 10 soldiers.

He further said that separate intelligence-based operations were conducted in Kharan and Dalbandin, where security forces killed six and eight militants, respectively.

Total of 54 Militants Killed

Summarizing the recent operations, Lt Gen Chaudhry said security forces and law enforcement agencies had killed 54 militants during operations over the past four days.

He added that operations against militants and their facilitators were continuing across the province.

Allegations Against India and Afghan Territory

During the press conference, the DG ISPR alleged that the recent terrorist attacks were being supported by India and other hostile elements seeking to destabilize Pakistan.

He also claimed that Afghan territory under the control of the Afghan Taliban administration was being used by militant groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan.

According to him, many of the militants killed in recent operations were Afghan nationals. He further alleged that three of the four attackers involved in a previous attack in Karachi were Afghan nationals and claimed that militant groups were receiving logistical support from across the border.

Commitment to Continue Counterterrorism Operations

Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan would continue pursuing militant groups on a daily basis and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to eliminating terrorism.

He stated that the government considers militant groups operating in Balochistan as separate from the people of Balochistan and said they do not represent Islam.

The military spokesperson also said action would continue against illegal foreign residents involved in supporting militant activities.

Concluding the briefing, the DG ISPR said Pakistan’s armed forces, police and law enforcement agencies, together with the public, remained united in the fight against terrorism.

He pledged that every militant and facilitator would be pursued and brought to justice, expressing confidence that the country’s counterterrorism campaign would ultimately succeed.