QUETTA: Security forces on Saturday completed operation against terrorists in Panjgur and Nushki. Nine security personnel, including an officer and JCO, were martyred and six others injured in the 72-hour operation.

The Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that 20 terrorists were killed during the operation.

It said the terrorists attacked security forces’ camps at Nushki and Panjgur on February 2, but both attacks were repulsed successfully by prompt response from troops.

In Nushki, nine terrorists were killed. Four security personnel, including an officer embraced shahadat during shootout with terrorists while repulsing attack at the FC camp.

In Panjgur, security forces repulsed the attack after intense exchange of fire and terrorists fled from the area. Security forces carried out clearance operation to hunt down terrorists in the vicinity.

Four fleeing terrorists were killed at Panjgur, while four others were encircled the next day by security forces. All encircled terrorists were killed in the operation as they did not surrender.

“Five soldiers, including a JCO, embraced shahadat and six soldiers have been injured during follow-up operations at Panjgur lasting 72 hours,” the ISPR said.

It said that three terrorists linked to these attacks, including two high-value targets, were also killed the other day in the Balgatar area of Kech district in a follow-up clearance operation conducted on a makeshift terrorist hideout.

Behram Baloch in Gwadar also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2022