14 soldiers martyred, 21 terrorists killed in Balochistan clearance operations

RAWALPINDI: 14 security personnel embraced martyrdom in clearance operations after militants’ attacks in Balochistan’s Musakhel, Kalat, and Lasbela districts on Sunday night, the military’s media wing said on Monday.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on the night between August 25-26, the terrorists attempted to conduct numerous heinous activities in Balochistan.

“On the behest of inimical and hostile forces, these cowardly acts of terrorism were aimed at disrupting the peaceful environment and development of Balochistan by targeting mainly the innocent civilians, especially in Musa Khel, Kalat and Labela districts,” it said.

In the Musa Khel district, terrorists stopped a bus in general area of Rara Sham and “maliciously targeted innocent citizens” working in Balochistan to earn their livelihood. They killed at least 23 people after checking their identities.

“Security forces and law enforcement agencies immediately responded and successfully thwarted the evil design of terrorists and sent 21 terrorists to hell in ensuing clearance operations, ensuring security and protection of local populace,” ISPR added.

However, during the conduct of operations, the statement said 14 brave sons of soil including ten security forces soldiers and four personnel of law enforcement agencies, having fought gallantly, made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat.

Sanitisation operations are being conducted and the instigators, perpetrators, facilitators and abettors of these heinous and cowardly acts, targeting innocent civilians, will be brought to justice, the statement added.

“Security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” the military’s media wing said.

Earlier in the day, 23 passengers were offloaded from their vehicles and shot at them after checking their identities  in Rara Sham area of ​​Musakhel, officials said.

According to SSP ​​Musakhel Ayub Achakzai, all the persons were taken off from trucks and buses and shot dead.

Achakzai said that the armed men blocked the inter-provincial highway and took the passengers off the vehicles.

He said that the armed men also set fire to 10 vehicles. Police and Levies reached the spot and the bodies have been shifted to the hospital.

He added that further investigation into the incident has also been launched.

Speaking to a local TV, Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rand condemned the incident and said that ​​Musakhel area is linked with Dera Ghazi Khan and there is usually not much security on the small roads. The terrorists took advantage of the darkness of the night and killed the passengers, he added.