ISLAMABAD, Feb 05: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday praised the security forces and law enforcement agencies for successfully completing Operation Radd-ul-Fitan I in Balochistan, marking a significant victory against terrorism and efforts to destabilize the province.
In a statement from the Presidency, President Zardari highlighted that the timely action by the security forces thwarted malicious attempts by hostile elements to disrupt peace in Balochistan. He emphasized that eliminating externally supported terrorism remains the nation’s top priority.
The President expressed satisfaction with the intelligence-based, coordinated operations that have dismantled the leadership and operational capacities of terrorist networks supported from abroad. He honored the innocent civilians and security personnel martyred in the operation and offered condolences to their families. “The nation salutes its martyrs and stands united against terrorism,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a separate statement, also praised the officers and members of the security forces, along with the armed forces leadership, for their ongoing efforts against terrorist elements attempting to undermine peace in Balochistan.
The Prime Minister lauded the professional skills of the security forces in dismantling militant command structures and eliminating a total of 216 terrorists during the operation. He expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of 36 civilians, including women and children, in terrorist attacks, and honored the 22 security personnel who sacrificed their lives in duty.
He declared that the nation would always remember the sacrifices of its martyrs and pledged that the nefarious plans of terrorists targeting innocent citizens would continue to be thwarted.
By attacking innocent people, he noted, the terrorists proved themselves enemies of Balochistan’s peace, development, and prosperity. The Prime Minister reiterated that the battle against terrorism would persist until completely eradicated from the country. “The entire nation, including myself, stands shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces in our unwavering resolve to defend the homeland,” he added.
