Three Militants Killed in Hanna Urak Operation, Security Forces Working to Rescue Seven Kidnapped Residents: Balochistan Home Minister
QUETTA: Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove has said that security forces are continuing an operation against militants in Hanna Urak, where three suspected terrorists have been killed so far, while efforts are underway to rescue seven local residents who were allegedly abducted during a recent attack.
Addressing a joint press conference alongside Balochistan Chief Minister’s spokesperson Shahid Rind, Langove said militants attacked the patriotic residents of Hanna Urak on the previous night. He praised the local community for resisting the attackers, forcing them to flee the area.
The home minister said that during the attack, the militants allegedly abducted seven local residents. Acting on the instructions of Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, security forces launched a full-scale counterterrorism operation, which remains ongoing.
According to Langove, three suspected militants have been killed in the operation so far, while two personnel of the Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF) were injured during an exchange of fire.
He said protecting the public is the state’s responsibility and confirmed that a security checkpoint has been established in the area, with law enforcement agencies remaining on high alert.
Langove stated that the militants’ objective was to spread fear among residents and force them to abandon Hanna Urak. Referring to the ongoing protest, he said the demonstrators were “our own people” and that the government respected their sentiments. He added that the chief minister had constituted a committee, headed by himself, to hold formal negotiations with the protesters.
Responding to a question about remarks made by Senator Manzoor Kakar, Langove said those comments represented the senator’s personal views, adding that he had personally visited Hanna Urak the previous night to assess the situation.
The home minister further alleged that the militants receive support from India and that they are allowed to use Afghan territory. No evidence to support these allegations was presented during the press conference.
Responding to a question regarding ministerial portfolios held by the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) in the provincial government, Langove said Balochistan has a coalition government and that the allocation of ministries by PML-N is an internal party matter.
Speaking on the occasion, Shahid Rind announced that a comprehensive sanitization operation would continue in Hanna Urak until the area is completely cleared of militants. He also warned that strict legal action would be taken against individuals spreading unverified information through WhatsApp groups and social media platforms.
