Nine Policemen Martyred, 15 Terrorists Killed in Deadly Ziarat Attack

President, PM, CM Bugti Pledge Decisive Action Against Terrorism, Salute Fallen Officers

Staff Report

QUETTA: At least nine policemen, including two station house officers (SHOs), were martyred and five others were abducted after armed assailants attacked their checkpoint in Balochistan's Ziarat district late on Monday.

Ziarat Superintendent of Police (SP) Abdul Qudoos said the attackers stormed the police post in Mangi area of the district, triggering a gun battle in which nine police personnel were martyred.

The attackers took five police personnel with them after the assault. He said the bodies of the martyred officers had been shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital.

Meanwhile, in a clearance operation against terrorists after the attack, security forces and police killed 15 terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij, Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind said.

Fitna al Khawarij is the term used by the state to designate members of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

He said the terrorists had paid a heavy price for attempting to undermine peace in Balochistan, adding that the security forces and police had foiled their malicious designs.

"There will be no safe haven for terrorists in Balochistan, and every attack will receive a decisive response," he said, adding that intelligence-based operations against terrorists would continue across the province. He also vowed that the sacrifices of the police officers and personnel martyred in the Ziarat attack would not go in vain.

President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the terrorist attack and paid tribute to the police officers who embraced martyrdom while performing their duty.

In a statement, the president said, “We will foil every conspiracy aimed at undermining peace and stability in Balochistan. The state will continue its operations against terrorism with full force.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the terrorist attack and paid tribute to the martyred police personnel. According to state broadcaster PTV, he vowed that the “blood of the martyrs will be avenged”.

“We will not allow anyone to harm the peace of Balochistan. We will continue the fight against the enemies of peace until they are completely eliminated,” he added.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti also expressed satisfaction over the successful operation. In a statement, he paid tribute to the Balochistan police personnel martyred in the incident, saying they had set an example of “unparalleled sacrifice” in the line of duty.

The chief minister warned that those challenging the writ of the state would “only meet defeat and death”.

“The terrorists of Fitna al-Khawarij are enemies of the people of Pakistan and Balochistan,” he said, adding that “this war against terrorists will continue until its logical conclusion”.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the attack by India-sponsored terrorists and paid tribute to the cops who embraced martyrdom.

The interior minister extended his condolences and sympathies to the families of the martyred policemen and prayed for them to be granted patience and strength.

"Those who sacrificed their lives for peace are the pride of our nation," Naqvi said, adding that the sacrifices of the martyrs would never be forgotten. He also said such cowardly attacks could not sabotage peace or weaken the country's resolve against terrorism.