Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir has reaffirmed the importance of peace, prosperity and the well-being of the people of Balochistan, stressing that a secure environment was essential for sustained development and economic activity in the province.
His remarks came during a visit to Quetta amid a recent rise in terrorist activity across Balochistan, including attacks in Pishin and Chagai and counterterrorism operations in Mastung, Kalat and Sibi.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), CDF Munir was received by the Quetta Corps Commander upon arrival and briefed on the prevailing security situation, operational preparedness and measures being taken to maintain peace and stability in the province.
The field marshal said the peace, prosperity and welfare of Balochistan’s people remained central to the state’s efforts. He added that a stable and secure environment would help advance development projects, create economic opportunities and improve prospects for residents.
The meeting also discussed institutional coordination and socio-economic development in the province.
CDF Munir commended the troops for their professionalism, operational readiness and commitment to their duties. He stressed the need for continued coordination among law-enforcement agencies and other state institutions to consolidate peace and create conditions conducive to sustained economic activity and development.
He also paid tribute to the sacrifices of security personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty and appreciated the troops for their steadfast dedication.
A day earlier, the ISPR said security forces had killed 48 terrorists during multiple high-tempo counterterrorism operations across Balochistan over a 72-hour period.
According to the military’s media wing, the operations were conducted in Mastung, Quetta, Kalat and Sibi districts against what it described as “Indian proxies”, Fitna-al-Hindustan and Fitna-al-Khawarij.
The government uses the term Fitna-al-Khawarij for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Balochistan-based militant groups have been designated by the state as Fitna-al-Hindustan.
Separately, the Balochistan government said law-enforcement personnel had foiled a coordinated terrorist attack in Bhag, in which two policemen were among five people injured.
According to Chief Minister’s aide for political and media affairs Shahid Rind, around 40 terrorists attacked a police station, bank and assistant commissioner’s office using heavy weapons, rocket launchers, machine guns, sniper rifles and hand grenades. He said the attackers failed to take control of the police station or seize weapons from the facility.
In another incident, TTP militants launched a coordinated attack on the Customs House near Ziarat Cross on the N-50 National Highway in Pishin district on the night of Aug 31-Sept 1.
The ISPR said security forces killed 10 terrorists during the exchange of fire, while six security personnel, including two officers, were martyred.
Balochistan continued to record the highest level of terrorist violence in the country last month. According to a monthly assessment by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), terrorist attacks in the province rose by seven per cent, from 83 in July to 89 in August.
