KARACHI: Pakistani security forces on Friday killed two militants during an intelligence-based operation in the southwestern Balochistan province, the military said, as the region continues to experience an uptick in separatist attacks.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by landmass and rich in mineral resources, has faced a low-level insurgency for nearly two decades. Baloch separatist groups accuse the central government of exploiting local resources, such as gold and copper, without benefiting the local population.
Islamabad denies the allegations, saying it is committed to improving the lives of local residents in the province through various development projects.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement security forces conducted the operation in Kech District on the reported presence of militants.
“During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location and after an intense fire exchange, two terrorists were sent to hell,” said the statement.
“The killed terrorists remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area against the law enforcement agencies as well as the innocent civilians,” it added.
The ISPR said a “sanitization operation” was continuing in the area to eliminate any remaining militants.
It maintained that Pakistani forces were “determined to thwart attempts at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan.”
Reacting to the development, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for carrying out the operation.
“The nation is proud of the bravery of our officers and soldiers,” he said in a statement circulated by his office.
“Our war against terrorism will continue until it is completely eradicated from the country,” he added.
Pakistan says two militants killed in Balochistan amid ongoing separatist violence
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Pakistan says two militants killed in Balochistan amid ongoing separatist violence
- The military says both militants were ‘actively involved in numerous terrorist activities’ in the area
- Shehbaz Sharif applauds the security forces for the operation, vows to eliminate militant violence
Pakistan’s deputy PM in Saudi Arabia for emergency OIC meeting on Somaliland
- The session is expected to coordinate Muslim response to Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region
- Pakistan’s foreign office says Ishaq Dar will present Islamabad’s position, hold bilateral talks on sidelines
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to attend an extraordinary meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah today, Saturday, which is expected to focus on Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, a move that has drawn condemnation from Muslim countries.
The emergency session follows Israel’s announcement last month. Somaliland is a self-declared region that broke away from Somalia in 1991 but has not previously been recognized by any United Nations member state, triggering sharp criticism from Mogadishu and regional bodies.
Pakistan also condemned the development, describing it as Israel’s attempt to undermine the unity and territorial integrity of Somalia. Dar flew to Saudi Arabia late Friday to participate in the conference, according to a statement released by Pakistan’s foreign office in Islamabad.
“The [OIC emergency] session will address the implications of Israel’s recognition of the so-called Somaliland region of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” the statement said.
“During the session, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister will share Pakistan’s position on the issue of Somaliland,” it added.
The OIC announced the extraordinary meeting earlier this week, saying it would help coordinate a unified position among Muslim states and reaffirm unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia under international law and relevant OIC resolutions.
A joint statement by Pakistan and other Muslim countries on Thursday condemned Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s visit to Somaliland, calling it a violation of the African nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Saar’s visit to Somaliland on Jan. 6 followed reports in international media that Israel had contacted Somaliland authorities over the possible resettlement of Palestinians forcibly removed from Gaza, raising alarm among Muslim countries.
The foreign office said Dar will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from OIC member states on the sidelines of the conference to discuss cooperation on other regional and international issues.
