ISLAMABAD: More than 54 terrorists were killed while 42 security personnel and civilians embraced martyrdom during a series of intelligence-based operations (IBOs) and counterterrorism engagements in Balochistan over the past four days, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference, the military spokesperson said security forces launched multiple operations following a wave of terrorist attacks across the province.

He said three major terrorist incidents occurred in Balochistan over the past four days, with militants belonging to what the state refers to as Fitna al-Khawarij targeting innocent civilians and security personnel.

Providing details of the Ziarat Mangi attack, Lt-Gen Chaudhry said nine police personnel were martyred during the initial assault, while another 18 officers who had been taken hostage were later killed by the militants, taking the police death toll in the incident to 27.

He said the terrorists behind the attacks were enemies of Pakistan’s peace, prosperity and development.

The DG ISPR reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding position that Afghan territory was being used for anti-Pakistan terrorist activities and alleged that the Afghan regime was backing militant attacks inside the country.

He also accused India of sponsoring terrorism in Balochistan, claiming that externally supported militant groups were attempting to destabilise Pakistan.

Lt-Gen Chaudhry said Balochistan’s development remained a national priority, adding that there would be no compromise in the fight against terrorism.

He maintained that Fitna al-Khawarij had no connection with Islam and accused the group of distorting religion to justify violence.

“No power in the world can undermine Pakistan,” he said, expressing confidence that the country would overcome security challenges.

The military spokesperson said the resolve against terrorism was shared by the state, the people of Balochistan and the provincial government, referring to Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti’s visit to the Mangi area after the attack as a demonstration of solidarity.

“We will hunt you, and we will hurt you everywhere,” Lt-Gen Chaudhry warned, adding that militants should realise their defeat was inevitable.

He said action would continue against terrorists, their facilitators, financiers and those providing logistical support, regardless of where they were located.

The DG ISPR also reaffirmed Pakistan’s policy regarding illegal Afghan nationals, saying militant attacks would not deter the state from pursuing its objectives.

“You can only deter someone who knows how to be deterred. No one can deter the State of Pakistan,” he said.

According to the military, the latest wave of violence began on the night of July 6 when militants attacked the Mangi police check post near Mangi Dam in Ziarat district.

During the initial exchange of fire, nine police personnel embraced martyrdom. Before reinforcements could arrive, the attackers overpowered, disarmed and took the remaining officers hostage.

Despite being outnumbered, police personnel killed 15 militants during the first phase of the fighting.

On July 7, the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and other law enforcement agencies launched a large-scale cordon and search operation in the mountainous area.

The military said heavy weapons and air power were deliberately avoided to safeguard the hostages and minimise civilian casualties.

On July 8, security forces confirmed that the encircled militants had killed the 18 abducted police personnel before they themselves were eliminated during the final clearance operation.

The military said 26 militants were killed during the Ziarat operation.

In a separate incident on the same day, militants belonging to the banned Baloch Liberation Army attacked an army convoy on the N-25 highway near Bela-Winder.

During the ensuing exchange of fire, 11 army personnel, including one junior commissioned officer and 10 soldiers, embraced martyrdom, while 14 militants were killed.

Earlier intelligence-based operations in Kharan and Dalbandin also resulted in the deaths of six and eight militants, respectively.

Overall, the military said 42 security personnel and civilians were martyred during the recent violence, including 27 Balochistan Police personnel, 11 army personnel and four civilians, while 54 militants were killed in operations across the province.

According to the military, 26 militants were killed in Ziarat, 14 on the N-25 highway, six in Kharan and eight in Dalbandin.