The Commandant Fronteir Corps (FC) Balochistan said on Sunday that terrorists involved in the attacks in Panjgur and Naushki were in ‘direct contact with their handlers in Afghanistan.’
The FC Commandant made his remarks during a briefing for a delegation of provincial ministers, including Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjarani and Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Abdul Quddos Bizenjo. The Commandant added that the terrorists were using ‘the latest weapons,’ as reported by the Tribune.
Previously, the Pakistan Army had suspected that the militants in both attacks had links to Iran and India, and indicated they had intercepted communications between militants in Balochistan and their handlers in both countries.
As many as twenty terrorists were killed in the military’s operations in Panjgur and Naushki, a statement from Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed, concluding a three-day battle between armed forces and militants in Balochistan. Nine armed forces personnel were martyred during the operations.
Heavy search operations in the area were conducted following two separate attacks on Frontier Corps (FC) camps in Balochistan on the night of February 2nd, ISPR reported, adding thaTt “both attacks were repulsed successfully by the prompt response from troops at both locations.”
By Friday, security forces had gained control of the situation in Naushki. Ultimately, nine terrorists were killed there, while four security personnel were martyred in the ensuing gun battle.
In Pangjur, gun fire was exchanged between militants and armed forces for 72 hours, until Saturday. Eight militants had been killed by the end of the encounter. During follow-up operations after the initial attack, five soldiers were martyred, including a junior commissioned officer, and six more soldiers were injured.
“Four fleeing terrorists were killed at Panjgur, while four terrorists were encircled the next day by security forces. All encircled terrorists were killed in [Saturday’s] operation as they failed to surrender,” ISPR reported.
