The martyred officer, serving at DHA, Quetta, has been identified as Lt Col Laiq Baig Mirza.
By Staff Reporter
RAWALPINDI: Search is still on for a civilian taken hostage by terrorists along with his military cousin from near Ziarat, Balochistan despite bad weather conditions, a military spokesman has said, asserting the security forces are determined to bring reckoning to the perpetrators.
The terrorists have since shot dead Lieutenant Colonel Laiq Baig Mirza, the military officer abducted along with Umer Javed. The martyred officer was serving at DHA, Quetta.
According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the two men were abducted on the night of July 12-13 by a group of 10-12 terrorists, who intercepted them near Warchoom, Ziarat, when they were on their way back to Quetta after visiting the Quaid’s residency at Ziarat.
On receipt of the information, Army Quick Reaction Forces rushed to the area and were able to track the fleeing terrorists to their hideouts in the general area of Mangi Dam, a statement issued by ISPR said, adding, “A deliberate search operation was launched by security forces using SSG troops and helicopters.
“On the night of July 13-14, a group of 6-8 terrorists was spotted moving in a nullah in the nearby mountains by one of the teams of security forces.
“On sensing their possible encirclement, Terrorists shot Lieutenant Colonel Laiq Baig Mirza Shaheed and attempted to flee”.
In the ensuing exchange of fire, 2 terrorists were killed and a cache of IEDs, explosives and ammunition was discovered.
“However, in the process, remaining Terrorists along with other abductee [Umar Javed] were able to flee for [the] time being”, the ISPR statement added. “Security Forces remain resolute to thwart such cowardly attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan”.
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