79 terrorists killed in Balochistan operations since July 5

The security operations against militants are continuing in Balochistan, where 17 more militants were killed during the past 24 hours in Operation Shaaban.

The sources said that the total number of militants killed since July 5 has reached 79. The security sources said Operation Shaaban was launched after the attack on the Mangi Dam Police Station. The Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan police are carrying out joint ground and air operations against militants. The latest action has raised the number of militants killed in Operation Shaaban to 43.

According to the security sources, security forces had already killed 26 militants on July 6 and 7. The operation has tightened the security cordon in the remote mountainous areas. An attack on the police station in the Zehri area of Khuzdar was also repelled.

The security sources said eight militants were killed during the rapid response by the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps, while another five were killed in helicopter operations.

Operations are continuing to clear the area of armed groups.

PM praises security forces of Operation Shaaban 

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for the success of Operation Shaaban. He said the killing of 75 militants reflected the high professional standards of the forces. He also praised the planning and conduct of the operation in difficult mountainous terrain and welcomed the successful defence of the police station in Khuzdar.

The prime minister said the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps deserved recognition for preventing the attack. He said the resolve of the security forces would remain firm until militancy was eliminated. He added that every attempt to undermine peace in Balochistan would fail and that the nation stood with its armed forces and police.

CM Bugti vows to stamp out terror

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti said 39 militants had been killed during Operation Shaaban following the Mangi Dam attack. He said 75 militants had been killed in operations since July 5 and that joint operations by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and police were continuing.

He said the attack on the Zehri police station had been stopped through a timely response. He added that the authority of the state would be maintained across Balochistan and that militants could not escape the consequences of their actions.