RAWALPINDI: Six terrorists were killed, three injured and another was apprehended in shootouts that took place in Charmang of Bajaur district and Gwadar area of Balochistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday.
The ISPR added that a soldier also embraced martyrdom during the exchange of fire in Gwadar.
According to the ISPR, the military’s media affairs wing, two terrorists were killed by security forces after they attacked a military convoy in Balochistan’s Gwadar on Sunday morning.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that the terrorists carried out the attack at 10am, using small arms and hand grenades.
“However, due to the efficient and swift response, two terrorists were sent to hell with no harm to any military or civil persons,” the statement said, with the military expressing its resolve to “thwart efforts of the enemies of peace and prosperity in the country”.
An earlier statement by the ISPR said the operation was launched in the area after the presence of terrorists was reported, adding that one militant had been killed and three others injured during the exchange of fire with security forces.
The crossfire continued between the forces and militants for some time, the ISPR said, adding the sanitisation of the area is underway to eliminate any remaining terrorists found in the area.
“The security forces have cordoned off the entire area [and] launched [a] search operation,” the ISPR said.
China vows to continue working with Pakistan to jointly counter terrorist threats
Chinese embassy on Sunday said a convoy carrying Chinese citizens was attacked near the port of Gwadar in Balochistan, Pakistan.
“The incident caused no casualties on the Chinese side, and the relevant personnel have been properly placed in safety. The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan strongly condemns this terrorist act,” said the statement, adding that China will continue to work with the Pakistani side, to jointly counter the threats of terrorism and earnestly protect the safety of Chinese personnel, institutions and projects in Pakistan.
“The Embassy and the Consulate General in Karachi launched emergency response immediately, requesting the Pakistani authorities to conduct a thorough investigation on the attack, severely punish the perpetrators, take practical and effective measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again,” the statement added.
“Given the current security situation, the Chinese Embassy reminds Chinese citizens in Pakistan to be vigilant and take preventive measures against security risks, to ensure the safety of their lives and property”.
Separately, China’s consulate in Karachi said the attacked convoy was carrying Chinese workers.
“A Chinese convoy from the Gwadar port project was hit by roadside bombs and gunfire on its way back to the port area from the Gwadar Airport,” it said in a statement on its website, adding that “no Chinese citizens were killed or injured”.
According to it, the attack took place at 9:17am.
The consulate asked Pakistan to “severely punish the perpetrators and take concrete and effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens, institutions and projects”.
The statement said the Chinese consulate general “has activated the contingency plan as soon as possible, reminding local Chinese citizens, enterprises, and projects to be vigilant, upgrade security measures, prevent security risks, and pay close attention to the security situation to ensure safety”.
Four terrorists killed in Bajaur IBO
Meanwhile, a soldier was martyred and four terrorists were killed while another was apprehended after a shootout in the general area of Charmang of Bajaur district, ISPR said on Sunday.
A statement released by the ISPR stated that the security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Charmang on the “reported presence of terrorists”.
🚨#ISPR 4 Terrorists Eliminated
On night 12/13 August 2023, security forces conducted an Intelligence Based Operation (IBO) in area of Charmang, Bajaur District on reported presence of terrorists.
During the conduct of operation, intense fire exchange occurred between… pic.twitter.com/KFBFrcgAdh
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) August 13, 2023
“During the conduct of operation, intense fire exchange occurred between security forces and terrorists,” the military’s media wing stated.
After subduing the militants, the forces apprehended the terrorist who remained alive during the operation.
Weapons, ammunition, and explosives including a suicide vest were also recovered from the terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous “terrorist activities against security forces and killing of innocent citizens, especially suicide blasts”, it added.
The ISPR said that the martyred soldier was identified as Sepoy Muhammad Shoaib, 24.
It further stated that the sanitisation of the area is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found in the area.
“Sanitisation of the area is being carried out to eliminate any terrorists found in the area. Security forces of Pakistan remain determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism from Pakistan,” the ISPR said.
Condemnations against terrorist attack on Convoy
Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has vehemently condemned an attack on the Pakistan Army convoy in Gwadar on Sunday.
He at the same time also paid tributes to the Army cops for retaliatory action against the terrorists.
Bilawal said that terrorists, who were killed in the retaliatory firing should be identified to bring their mastermind to book. He said that the terrorists were not forgivable.
On the other hand, former president Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack on the convoy, according to a statement issued by his party, the PPP.
He also called for “bring in the grip of law the planners” of the attack and lauded the soldiers for their retaliatory action and stressed the need to eliminate terrorists.
