UPDATES WITH NEW DEATH TOLL; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE
By Islamuddin Sajid and Saadet Gokce
ISLAMABAD / ISTANBUL (AA) - At least 18 civilians, 15 soldiers, and 133 militants were killed in clashes as Pakistani security forces thwarted major terrorist attacks in the southwestern province of Balochistan, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, on Saturday.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier confirmed that coordinated attacks took place at 12 locations in Balochistan and praised security forces for successfully foiling them.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's House, he vowed that the war on terror would not end until the last terrorist was eliminated.
The areas where attacks took place include Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar, and Pasni.
Ninety-two militants, including three suicide bombers, were killed during Saturday’s operations, while 41 others were killed in separate security actions across the province on Friday, bringing the total to 133 in the past 48 hours, according to the statement.
"Intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed that the attacks were orchestrated and directed by terrorist ringleaders operating from outside Pakistan, who were in direct communication with the terrorists throughout the incident," the army statement said.
On Friday, the military said that at least 41 militants were killed in two separate security operations in the Harnai and Panjgur districts of Balochistan.
Pakistan has seen a renewed surge in militant violence in recent years, particularly in its western and southwestern regions.