The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday that security forces killed 21 terrorists in separate incidents in Balochistan during the night of Aug 31 and Sept 1.
According to the military’s media wing, 10 terrorists were killed after militants launched a coordinated attack on the Customs House in Nokcha, Chagai district, in an attempt to breach the facility.
“Security forces responded effectively and, after an intense fire exchange, killed 10 terrorists,” the ISPR said.
The fleeing militants were also engaged by security forces, resulting in further casualties, it added.
The ISPR said six security personnel and government officials were killed during the exchange of fire, including two officers and a Customs Department official.
The military described the attack as an example of a “terror-crime nexus”, alleging that it was aimed at preventing Customs officials from carrying out their duties and facilitating criminal activities in the area.
Sanitisation operations were underway in surrounding areas to eliminate any remaining militants and ensure the safety of residents and traffic along key national highways, the ISPR said.
In a separate incident on Aug 31, security forces killed 11 terrorists who had allegedly attempted to disrupt traffic along the N-40 Quetta-Taftan Highway by establishing an illegal checkpoint for extortion, according to the ISPR.
The military said security forces responded immediately and killed 11 militants following an intense exchange of fire. A large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives was also recovered from the site.
The ISPR said counter-terrorism operations under the government’s “Azm-i-Istehkam” strategy would continue, reiterating the security forces’ commitment to combating what it described as foreign-sponsored and foreign-supported terrorism.
The latest clashes came a day after security forces killed 12 terrorists following an attack on a convoy associated with the Reko Diq copper and gold project in Chagai.
On the same day, two terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Washuk district, according to state media.
