Balochistan, which has been facing unrest for about two decades, has in recent months seen an uptick in the violence by the ethnic Baloch rebels and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants who target the security forces in the region.
Official sources said that 109 terrorists have been killed since July 5, including 71 killed in Operation Shaban, jointly carried out by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police.
Codenamed Operation Shaban, the onslaught was unleashed on July 7 after attacks by terrorists killed several security personnel at the beginning of the week.
This operation was targeting the terrorists in the Shaban areas of the Quetta district, where 27 police officials were killed on July 5 during an attack on a police post at Mangi dam pumping station that supplies water to Balochistan capital Quetta and surrounding areas.
At least seven more terrorists were killed in the last 24 hours in the ongoing operation, taking the tally of killed rebels to 71, defence officials said on Sunday.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi lauded the security forces, the FC and police following the killing of the seven terrorists.
“The action by the Pakistan Army, FC and police is reflective of the protection of national security. There is no place for terrorist elements in Pakistan,” he was quoted as saying by his ministry.
He added that the nation was standing with the security forces and action against terrorists would continue.
Balochistan has been in the grip of violence targeting the security forces in the region due to allegations by the local ethnic Baloch groups and parties that the federal government has been exploiting the mineral wealth of the largest but scarcely populated province.
