By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military top brass pledged on Tuesday to safeguard hard-won successes against terrorism, following a surge in attacks in Balochistan that killed at least 50 people, including 14 security personnel, in a region vital to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
“In assessing the inimical forces, malicious actors, subversive proxies, and facilitators of Pakistan’s external and internal adversaries, particularly those active in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the forum deliberated on a range of measures to neutralize these threats,” the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement after a Corps Commanders’ Conference.
Dozens of militants affiliated with the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) launched numerous attacks on Sunday midnight across Balochistan, targeting security personnel and civilians, particularly those from Punjab. They went on a rampage across the province, storming police stations, blowing up railway tracks, and setting fire to almost three dozen vehicles.
A fresh wave of violence has erupted in Balochistan, where young ethnic Baloch are leading protests against alleged enforced disappearances and human rights abuses by security forces, who reject the accusations.
Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan and Iran, is Pakistan’s poorest province, despite an abundance of untapped natural resources, and lags behind the rest of the country in education, employment, and economic development. The province is also home to major China-led projects, such as a deep-water port and a gold and copper mine.
The statement said Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, chairing a meeting of top military commanders, discussed the prevailing geostrategic environment, national security challenges, and strategic and operational responses to emerging threats.
“The forum reaffirmed that the Pakistan Army, with the unwavering support of the people, will not allow the hard-earned successes against terrorism to be reversed.”
The army would continue to extend “comprehensive support to the government, administrative apparatus, and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in taking swift and lawful action against terrorists, anarchists, and criminal mafias.”
Pakistan has seen a surge in terrorist attacks, with 59 incidents reported in August, up from 38 in July, resulting in 84 deaths and 166 injuries, according to the Pak Institute for Peace Studies.
Balochistan experienced 28 terrorist incidents in August, resulting in 57 deaths and 84 injuries, mostly due to attacks by the BLA.
The ISPR’s statement said the forum expressed satisfaction with efforts to combat illegal spectrum use in conjunction with terrorist networks, stressing the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect national cyberspace.
The army emphasized its commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and loyalty to the state.
“The institution’s well-established and rigorous system of accountability ensures that these values are preserved with unwavering commitment, allowing no room for exceptions or partiality. This strict adherence to accountability fortifies the army’s integrity, ensuring that no individual is above the law or exempt from scrutiny.”
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