ISPR says security forces have killed 24 terrorists in Balochistan’s Mach, Kolpur

Pakistan security forces have killed at least 24 terrorists in the Mach and Kolpur Complexes in Balochistan province in last three days, the military’s media wing said on Friday.

“On night 29/30 January 2024, terrorists attacked Mach and Kolpur Complexes in Balochistan. Law Enforcement Agencies deputed on security offered stiff resistance and forced the attackers to repulse.” the Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan (ISPR) said.

Four soldiers, 2 civilians martyred; many terrorists killed

The militants were then hunted down in the ensuing sanitisation and clearance operations, which “have now been concluded after clearing and securing the area”, it added.

Shehzad Baloch, Attaullah, Salah Uddin, Abdul Wadood and Zeeshan were key terrorists among the killed, ISPR said.

“Identification process of remaining terrorists is in process.”

Security forces kill 12 more terrorists in Balochistan’s Mach

However, during intense exchange of fire, four members of the law enforcement agencies embraced martyrdom along with two innocent civilians, the military’s media wing stated.

“Pakistan’s security forces stand shoulder to shoulder with other law enforcement agencies to ensure peace and stability in the country,” it said.

Security is on high alert during the general elections, which are scheduled for February 8.

Multiple security incidents have occurred in recent days in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), which led to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) calling an emergency meeting on the law and order situation in the two provinces earlier this week.

The ECP invited high-ranking officials from Balochistan and KP, including caretaker ministers, home secretaries, chief secretaries, Inspector General of Police (IGPs), and intelligence agencies’ officials to participate in the meeting.

After the huddle, both the interim government and the electoral watchdog asserted that the polls would take place on time “no matter what happens”.

During this week, a blast in Quetta took life of one person on the CPEC road, a national assembly candidate for the elections was shot and killed in the tribal district along Afghan border, and at least four people were killed and five others sustained injuries in a blast at a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) rally in Balochistan’s Sibi.