RAWALPINDI: Eight terrorists affiliated with an Indian-sponsored terrorist group were killed when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) detonated prematurely while they were preparing it in Surab district of Balochistan on Wednesday, and ten more terrorists were killed during a joint clearance operation by security forces and police, the military’s media wing said.
According to the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), an under-preparation Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device detonated while being prepared by Indian sponsored terrorists in Surab district this morning.
“The premature detonation during preparation resulted in the confirmed killing of eight terrorists, with multiple injured,” ISPR said.
However, the blast and secondary detonation of other explosives stored there by the terrorists of Indian proxy have also reportedly caused tragic casualties of three nearby civilians, the military’s media wing said.
In immediate response, security forces and the Balochistan Police reached the site and have launched a comprehensive joint clearance operation to track down the perpetrators and facilitators.
During the operation, security forces proactively detected the movement of fleeing terrorists, effectively engaging and killing ten more terrorists, ISPR said. “In total, eighteen terrorists affiliated with Fitna Al Hindustan have been eliminated in these incidents so far,” the military’s media wing said.
Two soldiers also sustained injuries during the operation against terrorists. “During the intense exchange of fire, two brave soldiers also sustained injuries,” ISPR stated.
The blast occurred in an area with mud houses, located away from the main population. The intensity of the blast generated a powerful shock wave in the surrounding area, locals said.
Roofs of some mud houses reportedly caved in due to the impact of the shock wave. Reported casualties occurred as a result of roofs collapsing following the shock wave, according to locals.
The casualties were therefore reportedly linked to structural collapse caused by the blast impact.
The intensity of the blast can be gauged by referring to the infamous Jiwani vehicle-borne suicide blast in the past, which generated a similarly strong shock wave.
Sanitisation operations continue in the area to eliminate any remaining terrorists, ISPR said.
The relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam (as approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan) by the security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
