A Frontier Corps (FC) official was martyred, and 13 others were injured during a suicide attack that security forces thwarted in Zhob on Wednesday, officials reported.
Zhob Assistant Commissioner Naveed Alam told Dawn.com that the assault occurred at 3:40 am on the Joint Response Centre in Zhob’s Sabakzai area. He stated that the center was “attacked from three directions by terrorists,” and that security forces managed to kill a suicide bomber attempting to breach the facility.
At the time of the assault, 45 FC officers, 10 Levies personnel, and five soldiers were stationed at the center. “Havaldar Jam Sher was martyred in the exchange of fire,” he said, adding that two of the 13 injured were civilians. Security forces inspected the site during daylight to gather evidence.
This incident follows an attack last month where a Balochistan Anti-Terrorist Force (ATF) officer was martyred and three others injured on the Zhob-Dera Ismail Khan highway.
‘Two Terrorists Neutralized’: ISPR
Later, the military’s media wing issued a statement confirming that two terrorists were neutralized during the operation, including a high-value target (HVT) known as Umar, alias Umari. The statement explained that security forces successfully prevented the attackers from entering the camp, resulting in the deaths of both a suicide bomber and Umar before they could inflict further damage. Umar was reportedly involved in numerous terrorist acts, including a recent attack on the Deputy Commissioner’s convoy in Sherani.
The ISPR also mentioned that a search operation was ongoing to eliminate any remaining threats. “Pakistan’s security forces, supported by the nation, are steadfast in their commitment to counter efforts that jeopardize Balochistan’s peace, stability, and progress. The sacrifices of our heroes only strengthen our resolve,” the statement read.
‘Decrease’ in Attacks
The Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) recently published a report highlighting a 24 percent decline in terrorist attacks across Pakistan, with 45 attacks recorded in September 2024, compared to the previous month. These incidents led to 54 deaths (29 security personnel, 16 civilians, and nine militants) and 117 injuries, a decrease from August.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced the highest number of attacks, with 27 incidents, followed by Balochistan with 17, and one in Punjab. No attacks were reported in Sindh. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Gul Bahadur Group, Islamic State-Khorasan, and local Taliban groups were identified as perpetrators. Five cross-border attacks from Afghanistan were also recorded.
