Security forces killed at least 10 terrorists, including a woman, during operations in and around Gwadar after attempts to carry out attacks near the Gabd Border Crossing and in Gwadar city, the military’s media wing said on Friday.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the attacks were carried out on October 22 by Indian-sponsored terrorists belonging to “Fitna al Hindustan”.
The ISPR said security forces launched clearance operations to protect residents and secure the affected areas. In separate engagements, the forces foiled the attackers’ attempts to undermine the writ of the state.
One civilian was killed during the terrorist attacks, while several vehicles were damaged, the statement said. It added that the operations concluded without any casualties among security personnel and that order had been restored.
The military said the involvement of a female attacker reflected the terrorists’ exploitation of Baloch women for propaganda purposes. It condemned the alleged coercion of a Baloch woman into the attack, describing it as contrary to Baloch and Islamic traditions.
The ISPR said the people of Balochistan had consistently rejected violence carried out in their name.
It added that counterterrorism operations under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam”, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace.
Security forces and law enforcement agencies remained committed to eliminating what the military described as foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country, the statement said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif praised the officers and personnel of the security forces for their successful operation against terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan in Gwadar.
According to the PM Office, the prime minister commended the professionalism of the security forces’ officers and personnel for killing 10 terrorists and foiling attempts to carry out terrorist activities in Gwadar.
He expressed grief over the martyrdom of a civilian during the terrorists’ attack.
PM Shehbaz prayed for the elevation of the martyr’s ranks in the Hereafter and for patience and strength for the bereaved family.
“The dedicated and brave officers and personnel of the security forces have foiled the nefarious designs of terrorists in Gwadar city and around the Gabd border crossing,” the prime minister said.
He said terrorists were enemies of the development and prosperity of the people of Balochistan.
“Terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan will never succeed in their nefarious designs.
“Operations to completely eliminate terrorism will continue at full pace under the framework of Azm-e-Istehkam,” the prime minister stated, adding that the entire nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the security forces and law enforcement agencies in their unwavering commitment to completely eliminate foreign-sponsored terrorism.
Earlier, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Friday vowed to continue operations against “Indian-sponsored terrorist outfits”, saying they would be hit hard wherever they were found.
During a visit to Corps Headquarters in Peshawar, the army chief was briefed on the prevailing security situation, ongoing counterterrorism operations, border management measures and the operational preparedness of formations deployed in the province, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Munir commended the morale and professionalism of officers and troops and directed them to maintain vigilance and the highest standards of operational readiness to counter threats effectively.