Coordinated attacks kill scores of people in SW Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Jan 31 (KUNA) -- At least 92 "terrorists," 18 civilians and 15 security personnel were killed in coordinated multiple attacks in different locations of Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, said military on Saturday.
According to a press release by Pakistan military's media wing Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), terrorists attempted to disturb peace of Balochistan by conducting multiple terrorist activities around Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni areas of the province. At the behest of their foreign masters, these cowardly acts of terrorism were aimed at disrupting the lives of local populace and development of Balochistan by targeting innocent civilians in District Gwadar and Kharan, wherein, terrorists maliciously targeted 18 innocent civilians including women, children, elderly and labors who embraced martyrdom, said ISPR. Security forces and Law Enforcement Agencies being fully alert immediately responded and successfully thwarted the evil design of terrorists displaying unwavering courage and professional excellence. The military further said that our valiant troops carried out engagement of terrorists with precision and after prolonged, intense and daring clearance operation across Balochistan, killing 92 terrorists, including three suicide bombers, ensuring security and protection of local populace.
Tragically, during clearance operations and intense standoffs, 15 brave sons of soil, having fought gallantly, made the ultimate sacrifice and embraced martyrdom, confirmed ISPR.
"Sanitization operations in these areas are being continuously conducted and the instigators, perpetrators, facilitators and abettors of these heinous and cowardly acts, targeting innocent civilians and Law Enforcement Agencies' personnel, will be brought to Justice," the military vowed. "Intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed that the attacks were orchestrated and directed by terrorists ring leaders operating from outside Pakistan, who were in direct communication with the terrorists throughout the incident," the release asserted. Yesterday, 41 terrorists were killed in Panjgur and Harnai districts of Balochistan. With these successful operations in the last two days, the total number of terrorists killed in the ongoing operations in Balochistan has reached 133, said ISPR. Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other terrorist found in the area.
President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have appreciated the effective actions of security forces against terrorists in Balochistan. In separate statements, they paid tribute to the security personnel and innocent civilians who laid down their lives during the operations. They praised the professionalism of Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies for successfully thwarting the attacks at various locations.
The President reaffirmed the commitment that there will be no compromise on the peace of Balochistan, safety of people and national unity. President Zardari said the state will continue its operations with full force and unity against hostile elements and their facilitators operating under foreign patronage. (end) sbk.gb