Pakistan Army has denied establishment of any direct / indirect ISIS organized infrastructure in Balochistan/ Pakistan.
The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement said that based on actionable intelligence, Security Forces conducted an operation in Mastung from 1-3 June. There were reports of 10-15 terrorists of a banned outfit Lashrake-Jhangivi Al-Almi (LeJA) hiding in caves near Isplingi ( Koh-i-Siah/Koh-i- Maran) 36 Kilometer South East of Mastung. The said organization was reportedly making efforts for communication with ISIS (Daish) and intended to facilitate establishment of ISIS foothold in Balochistan.
Operation for physical clearance of target area, spread over 10 Kilometers, started early morning 1st June by landing of heliborne force. Operation continued for three days. Terrorists who were hiding in caves offered stiff resistance. 250 Meter long gorge with steep heights and multiple caves made the clearance operation difficult and challenging. Intelligence and Security Forces personnel fought valiantly to clear the hideout by 3rd June.
During exchange of fire, 12 hardcore terrorists including 2 suicide bombers were killed. The suicide bomber used against Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri on 12 May was also sent by this group from same hideout. During the operation 5 security forces personnel including 2 officers got injured. During the operation security forces destroyed IED making facility inside cave and recovered cache of arms and ammunition which included 50 kilograms of explosive, 3 suicide bomber jackets, 18 Grenades, 6 Rocket Launchers, 4 Light Machine Guns,18 small machine guns, 4 sniper rifles, 38 communication sets and huge ammunition of various types.
Read: 12 hardcore terrorists killed in Mastung cave operation
The successful operation by Security Forces besides denying establishing of any direct / indirect ISIS organized infrastructure in Balochistan/ Pakistan, also foiled terrorist incidents in Pakistan.
COAS has appreciated effort of Southern Command, Intelligence Agencies and the troops for this successful operation.
