Balochistan operations: 16 militants killed, two policemen also dead
Sixteen militants were killed in separate security operations in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Wednesday, according to state-run media.
Radio Pakistan reported that the operations took place in Mastung, Turbat and Quetta districts. Nine militants were killed after allegedly attempting to attack a security post in the Kanak Valley area of Mastung. Security forces recovered weapons, ammunition and three motorcycles from the site, while one security personnel was injured in the exchange of fire.
In Turbat, two militants were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Jausak, the state broadcaster said.
Meanwhile, police foiled an attack on the Aghbarg police station on the outskirts of Quetta, killing five militants. According to Radio Pakistan, the attackers arrived on motorcycles early Wednesday and opened fire on the police station. Police returned fire and recovered weapons and ammunition. The attackers were described as members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The violence comes amid continued militant activity in Balochistan. The TTP has carried out repeated attacks in Pakistan since ending its ceasefire with the government in November 2022.
In a separate incident in Nushki district, two policemen guarding a polio vaccination team were shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Tuesday. Babar Yousafzai, the provincial chief minister's adviser on home affairs, said the vaccination workers escaped unharmed and the attackers fled. No group has claimed responsibility.
The killings occurred during a nationwide anti-polio campaign launched on Monday that aims to vaccinate more than 31 million children. Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only countries where transmission of wild poliovirus has not yet been eliminated.
with inputs from PTI
