KEY POINTS
- Security forces kill three terrorists
- President and Prime Minister condemn terror attack
- Balochistan CM vows to bring perpetrators to justice
- Security forces launch clearance operation
NOSHKI, Pakistan: At least five people, including three Frontier Corps personnel and two civilians, were martyred on Sunday in a suicide attack targeting a security convoy in the Noshki district of Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, the military’s media wing said in a statement.
The Pakistan military’s media wing, ISPR, in a statement on Sunday, said that a vehicle-borne suicide bomber exploded himself on a security forces convoy in Nushki district.
“Resultantly, five brave sons of soil embraced shahadat; three security forces personnel and two innocent civilians,” ISPR said.
The statement said martyrs include Havildar Manzoor Ali (Age: 38 years, resident of District Nawab Shah), Havildar Ali Bilawal (Age: 39 years, resident of District Naseer Abad), Naik Abdul Raheem (Age: 34 years, resident of District Badin), Civilian Driver Jalal ud Din (resident of District Quetta) and Civilian Driver Muhammad Naeem (resident of District Kharan).
“In the ensuing sanitisation operation, the terrorists were pursued and after intense fire exchange, three terrorists were effectively neutralised by the security forces,” ISPR said.
It said perpetrators of this heinous and cowardly act will be brought to justice. The statement further said security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging the peace, stability, and progress of Balochistan, and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers and valiant civilians further strengthen our resolve.
Condemnation
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have condemned the Noshki blast and expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in the incident.
In separate statements on Sunday, they prayed for the departed souls and patience for the bereaved families. They also prayed for the early recovery of the injured.
The Prime Minister said such cowardly attacks cannot shake our resolve against terrorism. The Prime Minister directed for provision of all possible medical assistance to them.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the blast and expressed his grief over the loss of five lives.
In a statement posted by his ministry on X, Naqvi expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
“Targeting innocent people is the height of brutality,” the interior minister said, adding that anti-state elements were “plotting a heinous conspiracy to create instability” in the country.
Naqvi asserted that such cowardly acts could not weaken the nation’s firm resolve.
Denouncing the attack, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti vowed strict action against terrorists.
Cowardly attacks
“Those who play with the peace of Balochistan will be brought to a tragic end,” CM Bugti said in a press release.
“Cowardly attacks cannot lower our morale,” he said. “There is no place for terrorists in Balochistan, peace will be established at all costs.”
CM Bugti vowed that all possible steps would be taken to bring the enemies of peace to justice.
“This war will continue till every last terrorist is eliminated,” the chief minister said, adding that everyone in Balochistan is indebted to those who shed their blood for this homeland.
The Balochistan government also condemned the attack, spokesperson Shahid Rind said in a statement.
“Targeting innocent civilians is a brutal act,” the statement said. Rind prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.
“Enemy elements are trying to destabilise the country,” the statement said. “The people’s morale cannot be lowered through terrorism.”
