10 India-sponsored terrorists killed in separate engagements in Gwadar: ISPR

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday that 10 India-sponsored terrorists were killed in separate engagements as security forces thwarted their attempts to “undermine the writ of the state” in Balochistan’s Gwadar district.</p> <p>In a statement, the military’s media affairs wing said: “On Oct 22, Indian-sponsored terrorists of <em>Fitna al Hindustan</em> attempted to carry out terrorist activities in district Gwadar, in the general areas of the Gabd Border Crossing and Gwadar city.”</p> <p>The state uses the term <em>Fitna al-Hindustan</em> for Balochistan-based terrorist groups to highlight Indian involvement in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.</p> <p>“By targeting these locations, terrorists sought to harm the very people they claim to represent and wanted to obstruct the development and prosperity of Balochistan. To protect residents and clear the area, security forces launched clearance operations in and around Gwadar city,” ISPR said.</p> <p>It said that in separate engagements, security forces foiled the terrorists’ designs and “their bid to undermine the writ of the state and spread their misconstrued agenda”.</p> <p>“In the ensuing exchanges of fire, ten terrorists, including one female terrorist, were sent to hell. During the terrorist attacks one civilian embraced <em>shahadat</em> (martyrdom) and [a] few vehicles were damaged. Operations were concluded without any loss to security forces, restoring order and writ of the state,” it said.</p> <p>The statement further said that the coercion of a Baloch woman into the attack was “a crime not only against the state but against the <em>hurmat</em> (respect) of Baloch women”.</p> <p>“It exposes the terrorists’ cynical exploitation of Baloch women as an instrument of propaganda, intended to inflame public sentiment and lend false sanctity to their campaign. Such tactics are contrary to Baloch and Islamic traditions, which hold women in the highest honour. The people of Balochistan have consistently rejected those who shed blood in their name, and they will see through this deception as well,” it said.</p> <p>The statement said that the counterterror campaign would continue at full pace.</p> <p>“Security forces and law enforcement agencies remain resolute in eliminating foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” it said.</p> <hr /> <p><em>More to follow</em></p> This development from dawn.com highlights ongoing changes in the sector.