Kalat, August 26, 2024, The Europe Today: In a series of coordinated terrorist attacks across Baluchistan, ten individuals, including a police officer and four personnel of the Baluchistan Levies, have been martyred. The attacks occurred during a fierce exchange of fire between security forces and assailants in Kalat, as reported by NHC.
Kalat Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dostin Dashti confirmed that the casualties include a police sub-inspector, four Levies personnel, and five civilians. The SSP stated that a comprehensive area clearance operation has been launched to apprehend the suspects who managed to flee the scene after the gunfight.
The police have reported that the confrontation with armed men began last night and continued throughout the day along Kalat’s national highway and within the city limits. The retaliatory firing by police and law enforcement agencies resulted in the death of 12 terrorists, according to security sources.
In related incidents, Kalat Assistant Commissioner Aftab Ahmed and a Levies personnel sustained injuries during the attacks. Ahmed’s condition has been reported as stable and out of danger, while the injured Levies officer has been admitted to a hospital for treatment.
Additional reports indicate that terrorists targeted multiple sites in Balochistan during the night of August 24 and 25. The response from security forces included significant retaliatory action, leading to the elimination of several terrorists and leaving others wounded. The security operation remains ongoing to ensure the complete eradication of the threat.
In a separate attack, a railway bridge in Bolan’s Dozan area was destroyed by explosives, resulting in the suspension of railway services between Punjab and Sindh. The destruction of the bridge also affected tracks in Mastung and Sheikh Wasil, leading to the cancellation of several train services, including the goods train from Quetta to Taftan. Bolan Mail and Jaffer Express services from Quetta to Karachi and Rawalpindi, respectively, were also halted. Trains coming into Quetta from Sindh and Punjab were stopped at various points along the route.
The Balochistan Government has responded to the crisis with a high-level meeting convened by Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti. The meeting focused on addressing the recent terrorist activities, including the destruction of the railway bridge, which was likely caused by an explosive device. Repair efforts for the damaged infrastructure are expected to take some time.
In a further escalation, armed men set fire to several vehicles and records at a Levies station in Mastung. While no personnel were harmed, the attackers seized control of the station before fleeing the scene. A body of an unidentified person was discovered near the station.
Additionally, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported the discovery of four unidentified bodies in Kolpur area of Bolan, who had been killed by gunfire. The identification process for these victims is currently underway.
The ongoing security operations aim to address and neutralize the threats posed by these terrorist activities and restore stability to the affected regions.
