RAWALPINDI: Security forces neutralized six terrorists from the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) during a joint operation in Harnai district, Balochistan, as confirmed by security sources.
The operation, based on intelligence, targeted BLA hideouts in the northeastern district on September 12. Among those killed were Shafu Samalani alias Tadin, Sarmad Khan alias Dasteen, Muhammad Gul Mari alias Wahid Baloch, Ghulam Qadir Mari alias Anjir Baloch, Ubaid Baloch alias Fida, and Taj Muhammad alias Babul.
Sources indicated that these terrorists were directly involved in attacks on both security forces and civilians.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi commended the security forces for their successful intelligence-based operation against the BLA in Harnai. He stated, “Once again, our forces have triumphed, sending six terrorists to their demise,” praising their efforts in thwarting the terrorists’ plans.
Naqvi expressed pride in the capabilities of the security forces, affirming the nation’s support in the fight against terrorism. “Terrorists and their facilitators are a burden on this earth, and with the nation’s backing, we will eradicate them,” he emphasized, reinforcing the government’s commitment to restoring peace in Balochistan.
The operation comes amid a rise in terror-related incidents across Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. A report from the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) indicates a 90% increase in violence in the third quarter of 2024, with fatalities surpassing those of the entire previous year.
CRSS documented 722 deaths, including civilians, security personnel, and militants, during 328 recorded incidents. Nearly 97% of these fatalities occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, marking a significant rise in terrorist activity in these regions.
Conversely, the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) reported a 7% reduction in militant attacks, alongside a notable 56% drop in fatalities, indicating a complex landscape in the ongoing battle against terrorism in the country.
