Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistani security and official sources announced on Saturday that security forces had successfully thwarted a series of coordinated terrorist attacks targeting 12 different locations in Balochistan province. At least 37 terrorists belonging to the group known as “India Sedition” were killed. Ten security and police personnel were martyred during the clashes.
Details of the clashes and the outcome of the past 48 hours
A security source confirmed that the swift and effective action of law enforcement prevented a larger catastrophe. The source also indicated that operations are ongoing to pursue the fugitives. This development brings the death toll among terrorists to 88 in the past 48 hours. This follows a successful intelligence operation on Thursday that resulted in the elimination of 41 Muslims in the Harnai and Bangajur districts.
Exceptional measures and a state of emergency
In the aftermath of the attacks, authorities in Balochistan took a number of urgent measures. The provincial health minister ordered all government hospitals and the Quetta Trauma Centre to be placed on high alert to receive the injured. Internet services were also suspended in the cities of Quetta, Sibi, and Chaman as a precautionary security measure. Furthermore, the provincial chief minister, Sarfraz Bugti, cut short his visit to Islamabad and returned immediately to Quetta to oversee the official response.
Securing railway lines
In a related incident, police in Nasirabad successfully defused an improvised explosive device (IED), an anti-tank mine, and other explosive materials that had been placed on the railway line near Rabi Pul.
Railways are a frequent target of attacks. The Jaffar Express train has been attacked several times in the past year, most recently in an explosion last Monday night that derailed four carriages. Balochistan’s Planning Minister, Mir Zahoor Ahmad Buledi, emphasized that the province will not remain hostage to criminals. He also stressed that public support is crucial to thwarting plots aimed at terrorizing citizens and damaging public property.
