At least six terrorists were killed and four others injured in an attempted attack on a security checkpoint in the Kalat district of Balochistan, according to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The Pakistan Army’s media wing reported on Saturday: “On the night of November 15-16, 2024, terrorists launched an attack on a security forces post in the Shah-e-Mardan area of Kalat district. Our troops responded valiantly, killing six terrorists and injuring four others.”
The ISPR statement added, “During the intense firefight, seven brave soldiers of Pakistan embraced martyrdom while fighting courageously.”
A sanitisation operation is currently underway to eliminate any remaining threats in the area. The ISPR emphasized that Pakistan’s security forces, with the nation’s support, are resolute in their commitment to safeguarding peace, stability, and progress in Balochistan.
“Such sacrifices by our soldiers only strengthen our resolve,” the statement concluded.
This attack followed another operation three days earlier, in which security forces killed four terrorists, including a “high-value target,” during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Balochistan’s Kech district.
Earlier, on November 12-13, security forces conducted a similar operation in North Waziristan’s Miran Shah area, targeting terrorists based on credible intelligence, according to the ISPR.
Notably, a report from the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) highlighted a significant rise in violence during the third quarter of 2024. Between July and September, fatalities from terrorist attacks and counter-terror operations surged by 90%, with 722 people killed and 615 injured in 328 recorded incidents.
The report revealed that 97% of these casualties occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, marking the highest regional percentage in a decade. Total fatalities for the first three quarters of 2024 have surpassed the total for 2023, with 1,534 deaths recorded compared to 1,523 in the previous year.
Amid this rise in violence, terrorist groups appear to be regrouping and strengthening their ranks, with many attacks remaining unclaimed, likely for strategic reasons, according to CRSS.
Prime Minister’s Response
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Kalat attack, praising the security forces for their swift action, which led to the elimination of six terrorists and the capture of four others.
In a statement from the PM Office, he paid tribute to the seven soldiers who laid down their lives while defending the nation, offering condolences to their families and praying for their strength during this difficult time.
The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to eradicate terrorism, emphasizing that the entire nation stands united with its armed forces in this critical fight. “For the survival of the country, the soldiers of the Pakistan Army and their families have made unparalleled sacrifices,” he stated.
