QUETTA: The Pakistan Army has initiated a large-scale military operation in several areas of Balochistan along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The operation began late on the night of March 3 and continued into the early hours of March 4. Security sources confirmed that the operation is targeting alleged strongholds and posts used by banned groups and their facilitators.
The security sources explained that the operation’s main goal focuses on stopping cross-border terrorism while stopping all threats that endanger Pakistan’s national security. The operation targets more than 50 locations that the military uses to execute its mission, employing advanced weaponry, including direct-fire weapons, indirect-fire weapons, anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), rocket launchers, long-range mortars, light and heavy artillery, and main battle tanks (MBTs). The military has deployed swarm drones which work together with ground units to conduct operations against designated targets.
The military operation has been described as a calculated and tough operation that intends to deliver a decisive blow against terrorist elements and their facilitators. The operation maintains active operations throughout Balochistan which includes sensitive areas such as Qilla Saifullah and Zhob and Nushki and Chiltan Ranges which have reported cross-border terrorist activity.
Officials have announced that their operation will continue until all threats are eliminated and a secure defensive perimeter is restored along the border. Pakistan has confirmed its commitment to protecting its sovereignty, borders, and citizens, and will implement all necessary measures to ensure national security.
Security forces kill 14 BLA militants in major operation in Ornach
Earlier, Security forces have killed 14 militants of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in a major operation in the Ornach area of Khuzdar district, Balochistan.
The operation was part of ongoing efforts by the military to combat terrorism in the region following a recent attack by BLA militants, which resulted in the deaths of 17 army soldiers.
The recent action is part of a series of military operations aimed at countering insurgent activity across various parts of Balochistan. With the latest deaths, the number of militants killed in these operations has now surpassed 100. These ongoing operations are part of a broader strategy to weaken the influence of terrorist groups like the BLA in the province.
In a separate development, federal information minister Atta Tarar confirmed in a statement on social media that security forces successfully thwarted several attacks in Balochistan by Afghan Taliban militants.
The Taliban attempted to carry out attacks at 16 different locations in northern Balochistan, but security forces acted swiftly, forcing the militants to retreat. The clashes in areas like Qila Saifullah, Noshki, and Chaman resulted in the deaths of 27 Afghan Taliban fighters, while one Frontier Corps (FC) soldier was martyred and five others were injured.
Tarar further stated that a similar attempt at a ground attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had also been foiled, with 40 Afghan Taliban fighters reported dead in that incident.
