QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti vowed on Tuesday to defeat all attempts to intimidate the province’s people or undermine the authority of the state, saying security forces would continue operations against militants until their “logical conclusion.”
Speaking to reporters after visiting people injured in the recent militant attack in Hanna Urak, Bugti praised the courage and professionalism of the Balochistan Police, law enforcement agencies, and security forces.
He said militant attacks would not weaken the state’s resolve. The provincial government would fully support the families of those killed and ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured.
Bugti directed health authorities to provide all necessary medical facilities to those wounded in the attack.
Paying tribute to the victims, he said no financial compensation could replace the loss of a human life. However, he pledged that the provincial government would not abandon the families of the deceased.
He announced that compensation cheques were being distributed to the victims’ families. The government will also cover the education, scholarships, guardianship, and other essential expenses of the children of those killed until they reach the age of 16.
Bugti commended the performance of the Balochistan Police. He said one police officer had been wounded for the fourth time in three to four months while fighting militants, describing it as evidence of the force’s courage and commitment.
He said the police had significantly improved their operational capabilities under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police. He added that the force had exceeded expectations in confronting militant groups.
The chief minister also praised other law enforcement agencies for carrying out their constitutional responsibilities in counterterrorism operations.
He said militants typically launched brief attacks on soft targets, harmed civilians, recorded propaganda videos, and fled. He said the state would not allow such tactics to succeed.
Bugti said the provincial home minister, the inspector general of police, senior officers, and other officials reached the attack site immediately after the incident. He said all relevant agencies responded in a coordinated manner to manage the situation.
The chief minister acknowledged that Balochistan continued to face security challenges. However, he said some quarters were deliberately presenting a misleading picture of the province that did not reflect the facts on the ground.
He reaffirmed that the government would intensify operations against militants, their facilitators, and all anti-state elements without discrimination. He said protecting the lives and property of citizens remained the government’s top priority and pledged that the provincial administration and all state institutions would continue working together to establish lasting peace in Balochistan.
