Tensions prevail in Pakistan’s Balochistan after 2 women killed in attack, 7 terrorists eliminated: ISPR

Tensions prevail in Pakistan’s Balochistan after two women from a Sindh family were killed in a terror attack, while security forces claimed to have killed seven terrorists in a separate operation in the restive province, officials said on Sunday.

The security operation was carried out in the Laje area of Kharan district on Saturday night following reports about the presence of terrorists, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing said in a statement to the media.

The ISPR said seven terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khwarij were killed and several others were injured during the operation. Khawarij is a term used by the Pakistani state for banned organisations.

The latest round of security operations in Balochistan began after a deadly attack on a police check post at the Mangi Dam pumping station in Ziarat on July 6, when armed attackers kidnapped and killed 27 policemen.

On August 12, the ISPR said 18 terrorists were among 21 people killed after a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated prematurely while it was being prepared, followed by a security operation in the province. Earlier, 20 terrorists were killed in separate operations on August 9 and 10.

In a separate incident on Saturday, a family from Karachi visiting Balochistan on business came under attack in Segi, a tribal area of Qilla Abdullah.

Police said a tribal group opened fire on the family’s vehicle after it failed to stop. Two women were killed, while a man and his daughter sustained injuries and were shifted in critical condition to the Trauma Centre in Quetta, the provincial capital.

A police official said Segi is considered a no-go area due to an ongoing tribal conflict.