QUETTA: Security forces eliminated nine alleged militants during an operation launched in response to the coordinated attacks in different parts of Mach town late on Monday night.

During gun battles with terrorists, six people, including four security personnel, embraced martyrdom and 13 others sustained injuries, accor­ding to the media wing of Pakistan Army, Inter-Services Public Relations.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ISPR said terrorists, including suicide bombers, attacked Mach and Kolpur complexes in Balochistan on Monday night.

Security forces in the vicinity were immediately mobilised and in the ensuing operation, nine terrorists, including three suicide bombers, were killed while three others were wounded, the ISPR said. During the intense exchange of fire, “four brave members of law enforcement agencies, having fought gallantly, embraced martyrdom” along with two innocent civilians, it added.

It said effective response by the law enforcement agencies was a testament of their unrelenting resolve in the fight against terrorism. “Pakistan’s security forces stand shoulder to shoulder with other law enforcement agencies to ensure peace and stability in the country,” the ISPR said.

Four security officials and two civilians embrace martyrdom

Also, Balochistan Minister for Information Jan Achakzai said security forces repulsed the coordinated attacks on government institutions, including the headquarters of Frontier Corps, police and levies stations in Mach town and Gokart areas.

The militants fired at least 15 rockets at March town which landed and exploded near the walls of the Mach jail residential colony, outside the main prison gate and different other areas of the small town. The jail authorities said all in­­mates remained safe as terrorists were not allowed to enter the prison as security forces foiled their jail break attempt.

The militants also attacked Mach police station and railway station. SHO Sub-Inspector Sajjad Solangi fought gallantly to foil the attack and embraced martyrdom. A railway police constable, Faysal, was also martyred when terrorists opened fire at the railway station. The terrorists also targeted a hotel and six shops in Kolpur area and set them on fire.

The minister said that security forces had completed their operation in the area and the situation was normalising.

“Clearance operation is over now in the area,” Mr Achakzai told Dawn, adding that the commutation system was being restored and the suspended passenger train service would be restored from Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Home Minister Zubair Ahmed Jamali, IG police Abdul Khaliq Sheikh along with senior police officers attended the funeral of the martyred police officer Sajjad Solangi, at Police Lines.

The three bodies were shifted to a hospital where Medical superintendent Saifullah Marri said all three victims were shot in their heads. “The bodies were found near Pinjra Bridge over the Bolan River.”

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2024