At least nine police personnel were martyred and five others were abducted after armed militants attacked a police checkpost in the Mangi area of Ziarat district, Balochistan, late Monday night, according to police officials.
The attack triggered a fierce exchange of fire between the assailants and police personnel. Following the assault, security forces and law enforcement agencies launched a clearance operation in the area to pursue the attackers.
Gun Battle Erupts After Checkpost Comes Under Attack
Ziarat Superintendent of Police (SP) Abdul Qudoos said heavily armed militants stormed the police checkpost, leading to an intense gun battle.
During the attack, nine police personnel lost their lives in the line of duty, while the attackers allegedly abducted five police officials before fleeing the scene.
The bodies of the martyred personnel were shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital for legal formalities.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the abducted officers, and efforts are underway to secure their safe recovery.
Clearance Operation Launched
Following the attack, security forces, in coordination with police, launched a clearance operation in the surrounding area.
According to Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind, 15 militants were killed during the operation.
He said the operation was conducted to prevent the attackers from escaping and to restore security in the area.
Rind added that intelligence-based operations against militant groups would continue across Balochistan and reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to maintaining peace and security.
He also paid tribute to the martyred police personnel, stating that their sacrifices would not be forgotten.
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Interior Minister Condemns the Attack
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the assault and expressed condolences to the families of the martyred police personnel.
He described the fallen officers as national heroes who sacrificed their lives while protecting the country and said their services would always be remembered.
The interior minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating terrorism and said such attacks would not weaken Pakistan’s resolve to maintain peace and security.
Protests Erupt in Ziarat
The attack sparked protests in Ziarat, where relatives of the martyred police personnel, local tribal elders, and transporters staged demonstrations at Ziarat Cross and other locations.
Protesters blocked key highways connecting Balochistan with Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, disrupting traffic.
According to police, the closure of the N-50 Highway, linking Balochistan with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the N-70 Highway, connecting the province with Punjab, left hundreds of passenger buses and freight vehicles stranded.
Militancy Remains a Security Challenge
The attack comes amid a renewed wave of militant violence in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the two provinces most affected by security-related incidents in recent years.
Security forces have continued intelligence-based operations against militant groups operating in the region. In late June, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced that eight militants had been killed during separate operations in Kharan and Mastung districts.
Pakistan has witnessed an increase in militant attacks since 2021, prompting authorities to intensify counterterrorism operations. The government has repeatedly stated that it remains committed to eliminating terrorism, strengthening border security, and ensuring the safety of citizens and security personnel across the country.
The investigation into the Ziarat attack is ongoing, while efforts continue to locate the abducted police personnel and identify all those responsible for the assault.
