Pakistan Army while releasing the details of the attacks on Machh and Kolpur complexes in Balochistan on the night of January 29 and 30 said that 24 militants were killed during the ‘firefight and sanitization/clearance operation’ of the security forces while four members of the security forces and Two civilians were killed.
In a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Friday, it was said that on the night of January 29 and 30, 2024, terrorists attacked Machh and Kolpur complexes in Balochistan.
“The law enforcement agencies deployed on security put up stiff resistance and forced the attackers to retreat.”
The press release added that ‘these terrorists were later tracked down in sanitization and clearance operations, which have now been completed after the area has been cleared and secured.’
According to ISPR, during the firefight and sanitization/clearance operations, ’24 terrorists’ were killed in the last three days, including Shahzad Baloch, Attaullah, Salahuddin, Abdul Wadud and Zeeshan, while the rest of the ‘terrorists’ were killed. The identification process is ongoing.
The statement added that four members of the law enforcement agencies and two civilians were killed in the fierce exchange of fire.
According to ISPR: ‘The effective response of the law enforcement agencies is a testament to their selfless commitment in the fight against terrorism.
“Pakistan’s security forces stand shoulder to shoulder with other law enforcement agencies to ensure peace and stability in the country.”
The Pakistan Army said on Tuesday that “multiple terrorists including suicide bombers” had attacked in Machh and Kolpur. According to Balochistan’s Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai, the attack was carried out by the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
The BLA claimed responsibility for the attack, naming it ‘Operation Dara Bolan’ and also released various videos on social media, which could not be verified by independent sources.
Security personnel and people stand at the site of a bomb blast in Sabi on January 30, 2024 (AFP)
These attacks have taken place at a time when general elections are going to be held in Pakistan on February 8 and in recent days there have been incidents of attacks on election candidates and Election Commission staff in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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An important meeting of the Election Commission was held in Islamabad yesterday to consider the deteriorating law and order situation in both provinces and its impact on the general elections.
Speaking to the meeting, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja said that despite the security challenges, the elections will be held on time.
According to the press release issued after the meeting, he further said that with the help of the law enforcement agencies and the army, the elements interfering in the elections and disrupting the law and order situation will be dealt with strictly.
The caretaker government of Balochistan province has directed the candidates to limit their election campaign in view of 15 blasts in a single day and law and order situation on February 1.
According to Correspondent Azam Ulfat, the Deputy Commissioners of different districts of the province have instructed the candidates to limit election campaigns and gatherings in view of security concerns and prefer corner meetings instead of public processions.
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