QUETTA: Frontier Corps (FC) Inspector General Major General Sher Afgun, in an event organised by the FC on Saturday said at least 650 security personnel in addition to more than 3,500 civilians had sacrificed their lives to defend Pakistan and to ensure peace in Balochistan.

FC Balochistan on Saturday night organised a Youm-e-Shuhada at the Ghazaband Scouts Belili to offer homage to those who laid down their lives to defend the country.

“We cannot forget the sacrifices of more than 3,500 civilians in Balochistan,” the FC chief said, referring to the thousands of people who relinquished themselves in the province during the unrest.

Sher Afgun said these unforgettable sacrifices had improved the situation in the province with peace now returning.

He added that even those who had “gone to the mountains,” were now talking about peace.

The IG Frontier Corps said the enemies wanted to carry out “subversive activities” in Balochistan on Defence Day and independence day, but security forces foiled their designs.

“The sacrifices of so many innocent men cannot be forgotten,” he said, adding that a watchman Talib Hussain had also given away his life on the eve of Eid at the Brewery Road area of Quetta while stopping a suicide bomber.

He went on to say that a “handful of terrorists” cannot take the nation hostage and that no kind of terrorism would be tolerated, adding that the new generation would be given peace at all costs.

Among those who participated in the ceremony were Commander Southern Command Lt. General Nasir Khan Janjua, Balochistan Police chief Muhammad Amlaish Khan and other high-ups.

Besides officials, family members of martyrs also attended the gathering at Ghazaband Scouts.