Seven eliminated in operation after Mastung carnage

Published May 31, 2015
Quetta: A man mourns the death of his relative outside a hospital here on Saturday.—AFP
Quetta: A man mourns the death of his relative outside a hospital here on Saturday.—AFP

QUETTA: The death toll in the Mastung carnage rose to 22 after security personnel carrying out a search operation found three more bodies on Saturday.

Gunmen on Friday kidnapped about 30 people from two coaches going from Pishin to Karachi in Khad Khocha area of Mastung district and killed at least 19 of them.

The Home Minister of Balochistan, Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti, told a news conference on Saturday that at least seven militants allegedly involved in the incident had been killed in the operation, which began on Friday night.

He said around 500 personnel of Frontier Corps, Police and Levies Force took part in the operation, which was being backed by four helicopters provided by the federal government.

Read: Militants kill 20 abducted passengers in Balochistan's Mastung

He claimed that the security personnel had surrounded militants in the mountainous area.

The minister said the operation, which is being supervised by FC Inspector General Major General Sher Afgan, would continue till the arrest or elimination of the militants.

He alleged that the Indian secret agency, RAW, was involved in the Mastung massacre, saying that RAW was providing funds to elements involved in kidnapping and killing of passengers.

Sarfaraz Bugti said that the main aim of people involved in such incidents was to sabotage the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

But, he added, by agreeing on the CPEC project at an all-party conference on Thursday, the political parties of the country had given a clear message that the nation was united to foil all conspiracies against it.

Meanwhile, the banned United Baloch Army claimed responsibility for the killings.

Also read: Balochistan CM announces APC in wake of Mastung killings

A UBA spokesman Mureed Baloch told newsmen on phone that the incident “is a revenge for killing of militants in Mastung and Kalat areas by security forces”.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...