In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (​ISPR) said, “terrorists targeted security forces using an improvised explosive device (​IED). During the exchange of fire, a Pakistan Army officer Captain Affan Masood and Sepoy Babar Zaman, embraced shahadat.” The attack occurred in Khuda Bux Bazar near Pasni, Balochistan.
The statement further added, “Search operation is in progress to apprehend the perpetrators. Such cowardly acts by inimical elements, backed by hostile intelligence agencies (HIAs) cannot sabotage the hard-earned peace and prosperity in Balochistan. Security forces are determined to neutralize such nefarious designs at all costs.”
The ISPR had said in a statement that three militants were killed during an operation conducted in the area after receiving information about their presence there.
Reports said that paramilitary forces were conducting the operation in the mountainous area east of Parachinar to find five kidnapped workers of a cellular company.
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Previously, Four Frontier Corps (FC) personnel had embraced martyrdom and six others injured in a terrorist attack from Afghanistan in Manzakai Sector of Zhob District.
The FC troops were moving for the fencing activity when terrorists ambushed them from across the border. The troops responded promptly. “The injured have been evacuated to CMH Quetta.”
“The security forces conducted an area sanitisation operation in Zewa, Kurram district on reported presence of terrorists. Three terrorists were killed during the operation.”
Balochistan has always been one of the country’s most volatile regions, partly due to its lack of development and partly because of its close proximity to Afghanistan, an equally volatile country.
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Both share a long, mostly unprotected border which has historically been an easy passage for nefarious elements. From drugs to contraband to terrorism, all are common. The security forces present there are always on the frontline, and such incidents have become increasingly common.