In early hours of Wednesday, militants launched a “dastardly attack” on the Zhob garrison in northern Balochistan, resulting in the martyrdom of four Pakistan Army soldiers.
The attacl also left five other soldiers critically injured, said a statement of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The ISPR reported that the terrorists made an initial attempt to infiltrate the facility, but the vigilant soldiers on duty successfully thwarted their advance.
“In ensuing heavy exchange of fire, the terrorists have been contained into a small area at the boundary,” the ISPR said, adding that three “heavily armed terrorists” had been killed so far.
“A clearance operation by security forces is under way to apprehend remaining two terrorists as well,” the statement said.
“Security forces remain determined to thwart all such ghastly attempts at destroying peace of Balochistan and Pakistan,” it added.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo condemned the attack and praised the Pakistan Army for their swift response in thwarting the attack.
In a statement, Chief Minister Bizenjo said the nation was proud of the sacrifices rendered by the martyrs and extended his condolences to their families.
He emphasized that the Pakistan Army played a crucial role as the guarantor of peace and security in the region.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah also condemned the attack, expressing his solidarity with the security forces and their families.
In a statement, Minister Sanaullah commended the courageous personnel for sacrificing their lives to prevent a major catastrophe and eliminating three terrorists in the process. He reiterated the government’s commitment to eradicating terrorism completely.
Pakistan has experienced an increase in terror attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, following the cessation of the ceasefire between the government and the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in November of the previous year.
According to a report released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, the country witnessed a steady and alarming rise in terror and suicide attacks in the first half of the current year, resulting in the loss of 389 lives nationwide.
In previous incidents, security personnel were martyred in attacks on police and Levies checkposts in Balochistan’s Sherani subdistrict, and a police official lost his life in a suicide attack on a police van in Balochistan’s Turbat.
