Pakistani army kills 24 militants in anti-terror operation in southwestern Balochistan province

February 2, 2024

- 4 soldiers, 2 civilians also killed in over 3 days of 'clearance operations' against terrorists, says army

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) – The Pakistani army killed 24 militants during an anti-terror operation in the southwestern Balochistan province, an official statement said on Friday.

Four soldiers and two civilians were also killed in the last three days of the military operation against terrorists, said the Pakistan Army's media wing statement.

Following attacks on the Mach and Kolpur Complexes in Balochistan earlier this week, security forces launched "clearance operations" against terrorists, it said.

"Terrorist Shehzad Baloch, Attaullah, Salah Uddin, Abdul Wadood and Zeeshan are key terrorists among the dead. (The) identification process of remaining terrorists is in process," it added.

On Tuesday, outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants targeted several facilities including the security forces complex, Mach railway station, and Mach jail, and clashed with security forces for several hours.

Later, Balochistan caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai said that security forces foiled the militant attack and killed five terrorists.

The large Balochistan province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, is strategically important due to its abundant copper, zinc, and natural gas reserves.

The province is also a key route in the $64 billion mega project Pakistan–China Economic Corridor (PCEC), which aims to connect China's strategically important northwestern Xinxiang province to Balochistan’s Gawadar port through a network of roads, railways, and pipelines for cargo, oil and gas transportation.