F.P. Report
RAWALPINDI: At least 14 soldiers were martyred when terrorists attacked two vehicles carrying security forces in Gwadar, the military’s media wing said Friday.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), in a statement, said that the unfortunate incident occurred when the security convoy was moving from Pasni to Ormara in Gwadar district. The military’s wing added that a sanitisation operation was being carried out in the area and perpetrators of “this heinous act will be hunted down [and] brought to justice”. The ISPR mentioned that the security forces are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of “our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve”.
Interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani strongly condemned the terrorist attack. “Such acts are utterly reprehensible. Our thoughts and prayers are with families of the martyred and injured. Pakistan stands resolute against terrorists,” he said in a post on X. The nation of 240 million has faced a surge in terrorism in recent months, with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant outfits intensifying their actions against security forces.
In response, the state has also launched operations to curb terrorism. Interim Balochistan Chief Minister Ali Mardan Khan Domki also condemned that attack. In a statement, he said that the attack on jawans responsible for protecting the lives and property of the people was “a cowardly act”.
Domki paid tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives and also offered his condolences to their families. He termed terrorist incidents a conspiracy aimed at sabotaging peace in the province, adding that permission would not be allowed to disturb the peace won after countless sacrifices. PPP Chairman Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari said militants had ambushed soldiers in a “cowardly attack”. Paying tribute to the martyred soldiers, Bilawal said that the fight against terrorism would continue until the “last militant is eradicated”.
“What a price our country has paid in this long war against terrorism! So many lives left desolate,” said PPP’s Sherry Rehman. “Heart goes out to the families of the martyrs and the injured. Their sacrifices will be remembered,” she said. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir last week said that the armed forces and its security and intelligence setups have fought the menace of terrorism in an exemplary manner despite sustained and varied support of inimical forces.
“Success will be ours InshAllah with the continued support of the people of Pakistan,” COAS Munir said. Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), in a report released in October, noted that the security forces lost at least 386 personnel in the first nine months of 2023, marking an eight-year high.
