QUETTA: Security forces killed 15 militants of the Fitna al Khawarij in a follow-up clearance operation in Balochistan after a deadly attack on a police station in Ziarat district that left nine police officers dead, provincial authorities said on Tuesday.
Shahid Rind, spokesperson for the Balochistan government, said the operation was carried out jointly by the Frontier Corps (FC), Balochistan Police, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), the Special Operations Wing (SOW), and the Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF).
He said nine police officers and personnel were killed in the militant attack. The dead included the station house officers (SHOs) of Mangi and Kawas police stations, ATF In-charge Head Constable Saifullah, and several other officers.
Rind said Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ghulam Sarwar and eight police personnel safely reached Kach police station after navigating difficult mountainous terrain.
He added that Constable Rizwan, who had gone missing during the operation, was recovered safely.
The bodies of the slain officers are being transferred to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Ziarat for legal formalities and post-mortem examinations, he said.
Rind paid tribute to the fallen officers and said the Balochistan government honored their sacrifice.
He said security operations against militant groups would continue until terrorism was eliminated from the province.
Last night, militants launched a large-scale attack on a police check post in the Mangi area of Balochistan’s Ziarat district. Police stationed at the post successfully repulsed the assault.
At least nine police personnel, including two station house officers (SHOs), were killed in the ensuing gunbattle. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the officers put up fierce resistance and prevented the attackers from overrunning or breaching the check post.
The attackers fled the scene after facing a strong response from the police. Security forces and other law enforcement agencies later launched a follow-up clearance operation, killing 15 militants.
