Nine terrorists are slain as the PAF’s Mianwali air base clearance operation comes to an end: ISPR

Nine terrorists are slain as the PAF's Mianwali air base

The Pakistan Army stopped a terrorist attack on the Pakistan Air Force’s Mianwali Training Air Base early on Saturday, killing nine terrorists in a clearance operation, according to the military’s media wing.

This development follows a string of occurrences in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan that resulted in the martyrdom of at least 17 soldiers.

These comprise a security operation in Lakki Marwat, KP; a militant attack in Gwadar; and a remotely controlled bomb detonation in Dera Ismail Khan. Another remote-controlled explosion in Dl Khan has resulted in five fatalities and at least twenty-four injuries, including police officers. This was the fourth occurrence.

The Inter-Services Public Relations announced in an early statement that the attack on the air base had been thwarted, with three terrorists having been “neutralized” and three others having been “cornered/isolated.”

“The combing and clearance operation at PAF Training Airbase Mianwali has been concluded and all nine terrorists have been sent to hell,” the military declared in an afternoon statement.

“Eliminate any potential threat in the surrounding area following the cowardly and failed terrorist attack on the base this morning,” the statement continued.

The ISPR added that only minor damage was sustained during the strike on three already-phased-out non-operational aircraft, but no harm had been done to any of the PAF’s functional operational assets.

“All adversaries of peace are starkly reminded that Pakistan’s military forces are ever-vigilant and completely capable of safeguarding the motherland from any threat,” the statement said, referring to the operation’s timely and professional finish.

It stated in the previous statement that it had started a “comprehensive joint clearance and combing operation” to rid the area of terrorists and that “some damage to three already grounded aircraft and a fuel bowser also occurred” during the strike.

In a statement to the media, the Tehreek-i-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), a recently formed terrorist organization that is a part of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), acknowledged responsibility. For the attacks in Dera Ismail Khan and Gwadar yesterday, there have been no allegations as of yet.

The PAF “once again proven its mettle by thwarting a cowardly terrorist attack in Mianwali,” according to acting prime minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar.

Any effort to compromise our security will encounter resolute opposition. The country is behind you, and we applaud your bravery and tenacity,” he continued.

According to state-run Radio Pakistan, President Dr. Arif Alvi “denounced” the attack and expressed “satisfaction” at its failure.

He was cited as adding that he was “strongly condemning” the attack that occurred in Gwadar yesterday and that “terrorists are enemies of Pakistan and efforts will continue for their complete elimination.”

The terrorists responsible for yesterday’s and today’s attacks “must have had different names, but the enemy behind the scenes is the same,” stated Sarfraz Bugti, the acting interior minister.

“A conspiracy to make Pakistan a target of uncertainty and instability once again,” he said of the current terror wave. The minister pledged that in the fight against terrorism, all military and civil institutions will work together.

Shehbaz Sharif, the former prime minister, also denounced the incident, claiming that the “repeated attacks reveal our enemies’ desperation.”

He praised the military forces for “foiling evil plans” and said, “Prayers for the affected families and our brave security personnel.”

In addition, the security personnel received appreciation from the former president Asif Ali Zardari for “risking their lives and foiling the terrorists’ plans.”

He was cited as adding that the country supported the Pakistan Army in its fight against terrorism in a statement posted on the party’s official social media account.

The PPP co-chairman declared, “We will fight those who erect walls of hatred until the last terrorist dies.”