ISLAMABAD; Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday strongly condemned a deadly terrorist attack on a security forces’ vehicle in Balochistan’s Mastung district, which claimed the lives of three Pakistan Army personnel.
The attack, attributed to terrorists linked with “Fitna-al-Hindustan” — a term used by officials to describe Indian-backed militant groups — marks yet another grim episode in a series of violent incidents targeting Pakistani security forces in Balochistan, a region long plagued by separatist insurgencies and cross-border terrorism.
According to the PM Office’s media wing, the prime minister paid glowing tribute to Major Muhammad Rizwan Tahir, Naik Ibn Ameen, and Lance Naik Muhammad Younas, who embraced martyrdom during the ambush. He prayed for their elevated status in the hereafter and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
In his remarks, the prime minister praised the swift and decisive response by security personnel who killed four militants involved in the attack. “Our soldiers are standing like an iron wall in defence of the motherland,” he stated. “The nation salutes their sacrifice.”
The prime minister emphasized that the sacrifices made by the security forces in the war against terrorism are unmatched and reiterated the government’s unwavering resolve to root out terrorism in all its forms.
President Asif Ali Zardari also issued a strong condemnation of the Mastung attack, describing it as a cowardly act orchestrated by terrorist elements backed by India. In his statement, the president lauded the bravery of the fallen soldiers and extended prayers and condolences to their families.
“The people of Pakistan stand united with their armed forces,” President Zardari said, commending the troops for eliminating the terrorists in a retaliatory operation. He reiterated that terrorist networks operating under foreign patronage, particularly India’s, would be dismantled and eradicated.
The Mastung district has remained a flashpoint in the broader conflict against militancy in Balochistan. Wednesday’s incident comes amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, as Islamabad continues to accuse New Delhi of funding and directing destabilizing operations in its western regions through proxy groups.
