Dozens of militants attacked a police post in southwestern Pakistan overnight, resulting in a massive gunfight. Nine police officers were killed and some others were injured in the incident.
The area is witnessing an increase in militant violence, with insurgents intensifying attacks on security forces. Police said the attack took place in a remote area of Ziarat district in Balochistan province, but did not provide any further details. Balochistan government spokesman Shahid Rind said the attackers had also abducted eight police officers, but security forces later rescued them all.
He said that after this, 15 militants were killed in the search operation by the security forces. Rind said intelligence-based operations against militants would continue and assured that authorities would respond strongly to any such attacks on security forces.
No group has currently claimed responsibility for this latest attack, although suspicion may go to the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). The BLA claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a security post in the coastal city of Jiwani over the weekend, although the government has neither confirmed nor denied the claim.
However, officials acknowledged that armed men had attacked civilians on the outskirts of Quetta city over the weekend. Since then, villagers have been protesting near Quetta demanding better security and protection from future attacks.
paid tribute to the slain officers
Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi blamed India-backed militants for this latest attack. He did not provide any evidence to support this allegation. India has repeatedly denied Pakistan’s allegations that it supports separatists in Balochistan or Pakistani Taliban militants.
In his statement, he paid tribute to the slain officers and expressed condolences to the families of the victims, saying such attacks cannot disrupt peace.