Pakistan: 18 soldiers among 30 killed in restive Balochistan

ISLAMABAD: At least 18 soldiers of Pakistan's Frontier Corps (FC) have died during an operation in Mangocher, a city located in the Kalat district of Balochistan province, the country's military authorities confirmed on Saturday.

"On the night of January 31/February 1, terrorists attempted to establish roadblocks in Manocher, Kalat District of Balochistan. Security forces and law enforcement agencies were immediately mobilised, who successfully thwarted the evil design and killed 12 of them, ensuring security and protection of local populace," read a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military.

However, the statement added, 18 soldiers were also killed during the operation.

ISPR stated that the security personnel are currently clearing the entire area, assuring that "facilitators and abettors" of the "heinous and cowardly act" will be brought to justice.

The latest incident comes less than 24 hours after the security forces killed 10 terrorists in five different intelligence-based counter terrorism operations in different parts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.

Pakistan has consistently maintained that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and separatist groups of Balochistan, including the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), are getting continuous support from Afghanistan. The Shehbhaz Sharif government has also called on the Afghan Taliban regime to take strong and immediate action against the anti-Pakistan groups operating from the Afghan soil.

Islamabad insists that terror groups in Balochistan aim to disrupt peace in the region by targetting innocent civilians.

"Security forces of Pakistan remain determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve," the ISPR statement added. (IANS)

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