QUETTA: Pakistani security forces “effectively and successfully” thwarted three coordinated terrorist attacks on Monday night in Balochistan’s Mach area, according to military’s media wing and provincial interim minister for information Jan Achakzai.
The ISPR’s post on X (erstwhile twitter) said, “Alhamdulillah, the attack orchestrated by Indian sponsored terrorists has been repulsed by Security Forces.”
🚨#ISPR – Latest Update
Social Media users are requested to refrain from circulating unverified information about #Mach #Balochistan
Alhamdulillah, the attack orchestrated by indian sponsored terrorists has been repulsed by Security Forces,
The terrorists attacked three… pic.twitter.com/TkoLtqneMF
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) January 29, 2024
“The terrorists attacked three separate locations simultaneously, majority of the terrorists have been eliminated, images will be released in the morning.”
“Social Media users are requested to refrain from circulating unverified information about #Mach #Balochistan.”
“No damage was inflicted on any installations, and there were no casualties among our troops. The terrorists have retreated, and security forces are in pursuit, In Sha Allah all will be eliminated before dawn”, the ISPR said.
In a post on social media platform X, Balochistan’s Information Minister Jan Achakzai said the militants were affiliated with the Aslam Acho group.
In Maach, the security forces have successfully thwarted three coordinated attacks carried out by terrorists affiliated with the Aslam Acho group. Fortunately, no damage was inflicted on any installations, and there were no casualties among our security forces.
The terrorists…
— Jan Achakzai / جان اچکزئی (@Jan_Achakzai) January 29, 2024
“Fortunately, no damage was inflicted on any installations, and there were no casualties among our security forces,” he said.
“We remain hopeful that all threats will be eliminated before dawn,” Achakzai added.
He earlier said a report was received about a “few rockets” fired from the hilly areas of Mach. In a post on social media platform X, the minister said there were no reports of any losses and the law enforcement agencies were alert.
We have a report of a few rockets fireded from the hilly area in Macch, Balochistan. No reports of any loss. LEAs are alert.
— Jan Achakzai / جان اچکزئی (@Jan_Achakzai) January 29, 2024
‘No damage to Mach jail’
Meanwhile, Mach Central Jail Superintendent Saleem Tareen also conformed the facility was not damaged due to the attacks and the building, its staff and prisoners were safe.
“The forces around the jail are fully alert,” he said.
‘TKD claims two railway police officials lost lives’
On the other hand, the Khoransan Diary (TKD) in a post on X, said: “Militants have attacked two security installation in Mach.” Quoting official sources, the Khorasan Diary said that the paramilitary Frontier Corps Headquarters in Mach was targeted where heavy firing continued while the Mach Jail was also under attack and the boundary wall of the Jail was also partially damaged.”
UPDATE:
From the available official information at least 5 installations that included security and official buildings have come under attack in Mach, Balochistan. Sources said that 2 railway police officials lost their lives, while four injuries including a child and two… https://t.co/Nm6U3dePvb— The Khorasan Diary (@khorasandiary) January 29, 2024
The Baloch Liberation Army – Jeeyand Baloch Faction claimed the attack in a statement, adding that it was a joint attack in collusion with other faction,” the TKD added.
In another post on X, the TKD said: “From the available official information at least 5 installations that included security and official buildings have come under attack in Mach, Balochistan. Sources said that 2 railway police officials lost their lives, while four injuries including a child and two security officials were reported so far. The route N-65 has been closed for all traffic.”
Emergency declared in hospitals
Meanwhile, two injured people from Mach were moved to a trauma centre in Quetta, according to the provincial health department.
The department imposed an emergency in the hospitals of Quetta and Mach amid the reported attacks, according to a statement posted on Facebook.
“Instructions have been issued for all doctors and staff to be present on duty immediately. Instructions have been issued to strengthen the security of hospitals to deal with any unpleasant situation. Instructions have been issued to gather medicines, medical equipment, lab supplies, and abundant stock of blood,” the statement said.
Balochistan Health Secretary Abdullah Khan Noorzai said that all nearby ambulances in Quetta were dispatched for Mach.
The responsibility for the attack was claimed by the banned militant Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) group.
