Security forces recover 16 foreign hostages in Balochistan operation

RAWALPINDI: Security forces on Tuesday rescued 18 hostages, two Pakistanis and 16 foreigners, after conducting an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan (IBO), said a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The IBO was conducted in the Tump area of Turbat district and the foreign hostages recovered include Nigerians and Yemenis. 

ISPR added that a large cache of arms and ammunition, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were recovered from the terrorist hideout. 

In a separate operation conducted by FC, an IBO was conducted in a village of Makran division. 

Two terrorists of a proscribed organisation were killed during the operation while a soldier of the Frontier Corps also embraced martyrdom. 

Two other FC soldiers sustained injuries during the skirmish. 

The terrorists were involved in the destruction of a bridge on M8, planting IEDs and attacking security forces. 

Earlier, the army informed on November 17 that a terrorist involved in murdering 15 people in Turbat had been killed during an intelligence-based operation.

Fifteen bullet-riddled bodies were recovered from the Buleda area of Kech district in Turbat, Balochistan last week.

The victims hailed from various areas of Punjab.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, FC Balochistan conducted an operation near Alandur, Abdul Rehman village, Turbat.

"As soon the troops cordoned the area, the terrorists opened fire. During the exchange of fire, terrorist Younas Taukali was killed," the ISPR said in its statement.

The army has identified Taukali as one of the top eight commanders of the banned outfit Balochistan Liberation Front.

Moreover, the army said Taukali was involved in laying IEDs for ambushing FC convoys and killing civilians.

The operations were a part of the nationwide Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, which was launched on February 22, after a string of terrorist attacks across the country.

According to the ISPR Director-General Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, the operation aims for the elimination of the residual and latent threat of terrorism, consolidating gains of operations made so far and ensuring the security of Pakistan’s borders.