Key terrorist among three killed in Balochistan raid, Colonel martyred

RAWALPINDI: Security forces in an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan killed a key leader of Lashkar-e-Jhanhvi (LeJ) and two would-be suicide bombers. Colonel Sohail Abid of military intelligence was also martyred in the shootout.

The slain terrorist said to be involved in killing of over 100 people of Hazara community and policemen.

A press statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the army, said that security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Killi Almas in Balochistan, on the information provided by some arrested militants about presence of would-be suicide bombers and other terrorists in hideouts in the area.

During the raid, which was part of the ongoing operation Raddul Fasad, the terrorists opened fire at the raiding party. The forces personnel responded to the firing and killed three terrorists, including Salman Badeni, chief of LeJ’s Balochistan chapter, and two would-be suicide bombers.

During the shootout, Colonel Sohail Abid of the Military Intelligence embraced martyrdom and four soldiers were injured, two of them were in critical condition.

PM grieved over death of Col. Sohail Abid

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has expressed deep grief over the death of Colonel Sohail Abid in an anti-terrorism operation in Balochistan, Radio Pakistan reported.

“Our soldiers have paid the price of freedom with blood and there is no higher sacrifice than it,” the prime minister said in a message .

He said our valiant forces will not rest till last trace of terrorists wiped out from the country.

PM Abbasi said that the nation has been united against the coward enemy.