At least 14 soldiers tragically lost their lives when terrorists targeted two vehicles carrying security personnel in Gwadar, as reported by the military’s media wing on Friday.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) detailed that the attack took place as the convoy was transitioning from Pasni to Ormara within the Gwadar district.
A sanitisation operation is currently underway, with the ISPR stating that the culprits behind “this heinous act will be hunted down [and] brought to justice”. The statement emphasized the military’s commitment to rooting out terrorism and highlighted that such sacrifices only “further strengthen our resolve”.
Recently, the nation, with a population of 240 million, has witnessed a sharp increase in terror activities. Militant groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have amplified their attacks against the security forces. As a counteraction, the state has initiated operations to combat this growing threat.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir, praised the armed forces and intelligence agencies for their exemplary efforts against terrorism. He confidently stated, “Success will be ours, InshAllah, with the continued support of the people of Pakistan.”
Startling Statistics on Terrorism in 2023
According to a recent report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) released in October, the security forces lost 386 personnel in just the first nine months of 2023, representing an eight-year peak.
The third quarter of 2023 alone saw 445 individuals killed and 440 injured from approximately 190 terrorist incidents and counter-terror operations. The provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan emerged as the main hotspots of violence, being responsible for 94% of all deaths and 89% of the attacks during this timeframe.