QUETTA: Five soldiers were killed and more than a dozen injured in seven separate blasts in Balochistan — three in Quetta, two in Turbat, and one each in Hub and Kohlu districts — officials said on Sunday as the nation grappled with growing terror. War is on against terrorism.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that during an intelligence-based clearance operation – which has been ongoing since December 24 – an improvised explosive device was detonated near a “leading party” in the Kahan area of Kohlu district. (IED) exploded.
As a result, five soldiers – Captain Fahad, Lance Naik Imtiaz, Sepoy Asghar, Sepoy Mehran and Sepoy Shimoon embraced martyrdom, the army’s media wing said.
Describing the incident as an “external terrorist threat”, the ISPR said “such cowardly acts by hostile elements cannot sabotage the hard-earned peace and prosperity in Balochistan”.
The army’s media wing said security forces are determined to challenge their nefarious intentions, even at the cost of blood and lives.
After the incident, according to ISPR, a sweep operation was launched in the area to nab the culprits.
Later this evening, unidentified persons hurled a grenade at a police post in Quetta’s satellite town, injuring eight people — three on duty and five civilians — police said.
The police said that a few hours before this incident, four people, including a woman and a little girl, were injured in a hand grenade explosion outside the Shaheed Amir Dasti police station on Sabzal Road in Quetta.
According to law enforcement agencies, a bomb disposal squad was called to the blast site.
Quetta Police added that two grenades were thrown on the road, one of which exploded while the other was defused.
Police say they are determining the nature of the explosion. Law enforcement agencies added that the injured have been shifted to Bolan Medical Complex Hospital in the city.
In another incident in the evening, an explosion occurred near Tahsih Chowk in Turbat, police said, but no casualties were reported.
Security forces have cordoned off the affected areas and further investigations are underway.
Another grenade exploded in the premises of Hub’s Sadar police station, injuring three people, police said. Rescue sources say that the injured have been shifted to the civil hospital of the city.
In the sixth attack, a hand grenade exploded on Sariab Road in Musa Colony of Quetta. Fortunately, police said, no one was injured in the attack.
The seventh attack – a grenade explosion – took place in Turbat’s Josik area, police said. However, no one was injured.
According to a statement released by ISPR, one soldier was martyred and two were injured in an exchange of fire with terrorists in Zhob area of Balochistan this morning.
An operation has been launched in Zhob, which aims to “deny terrorists from using some of the suspected routes to cross the Pakistan-Afghanistan border by hiding in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa along the inter-provincial border as well as civilians.” and targeting the security forces.”
Multiple blasts wreak havoc in Balochistan as the nation celebrates the 146th birthday of Pakistan’s founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Christmas.
In light of the terror incidents, Islamabad has been put on “high alert”, and the US embassy has also advised its mission personnel to avoid “unnecessary and unofficial” travel to the federal capital.
Condemnation
President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attacks on the security forces and paid tribute to the martyrs.
In his statement, the President also appreciated the continued commitment of the security forces to rid the country of terrorism.
صدر مملکت نے دہشت گردی کے خاتمے کیلئے سیکورٹی فورسز کی کوششوں کو سراہا
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) December 25, 2022
صدر مملکت کی شہداء کیلئے بلندی درجات کی دعا، اہل خانہ سے اظہار ہمدردی
In a statement, the prime minister described the attack on security forces as “heartbreaking” and vowed to bring the terrorists to justice.
“The nation pays homage and respect to our heroes who laid down their lives for Pakistan. The perpetrators of terrorism will be brought to justice. There should be no let-up,” he said.
Heart-wrenching news from Balochistan about martyrdom of 5 soldiers including an Army Captain. The nation pays its tributes & respects to our heroes who laid down their lives for Pakistan. The perpetrators of terrorism will be brought to justice. Let there be no mistake about it.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) December 25, 2022
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also condemned the attack and vowed to support the security forces in the fight against terrorists.
Apart from this, Pakistan People’s Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Qudous Bizenjo and others have also condemned the explosion in Quetta.
Terrorism on the rise
In the past few weeks, Pakistan has dealt with a variety of terrorist attacks including the recent foiled hostage situation by Pakistani army personnel in Bannu city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) (TP) terrorists had seized control of the Counter-Terrorism Department. (CTD) compd.
The army’s media wing had said that security forces killed 25 terrorists, arrested two and forced seven to surrender in the Bannu operation.
The situation on the south-western border has also been challenged with severe antagonism, with unprovoked firing on the civilian population by the Afghan border forces near the Pak-Afghan border in Balochistan’s Chaman city.
The situation calmed after officials from both sides agreed earlier this week to resolve border and fencing issues through bilateral contacts and consultations.
Following these attacks, the country’s civil and military leadership has vowed to counter terrorists and act against their intentions to undermine peace in Pakistan.
In the context of Bannu operation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made it clear that the state will not surrender or bow down to any terrorist organization or organization.
Describing terrorism as a sensitive issue of national security, the Prime Minister said that there is a need for collective thinking and an action plan in this regard.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir said on Friday that the army is committed to establishing peace in the country and breaking the nexus that facilitates terrorists.
The COAS said, “Pakistan Army will consolidate the hard-won peace, made possible by the resilient Pakistani nation and the great sacrifices of the LEA (law enforcement agencies)”.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that Pakistan is serious about ending terrorism, the security situation in the country is better than 2007.
“Action against extremists is necessary for the safety and security of the people,” Bilawal said, adding that peace is essential for economic stability in the country.
