Terrorists martyr Lieutenant Colonel Laiq Baig Mirza after abducting him: ISPR

• Security forces gun down two terrorists during exchange of fire;
• They retrieve cache of IEDs, explosives, ammunition from hideout.
• Some terrorists flee with abductee Umer Javed.

Lieutenant Colonel Laiq Baig Mirza, a high-ranking official of the Pakistan Army, has embraced martyrdom after terrorists shot him, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed in a statement on Thursday.

According to the military's media wing, on the night between July 12-13, a group of 10-12 terrorists abducted Lt Col Laiq shaheed, who was serving in DHA Quetta, along with his cousin Umer Javed near Warchoom, Ziarat, as they were returning to Quetta after visiting Quaid-e-Azam's residency.

On receiving information, Army Quick Reaction Forces were immediately dispatched to chase the fleeing terrorists. They were traced moving to their hideouts in the general area of Mangi Dam.

Following that, a deliberate search operation was launched by security forces using Special Service Group (SSG) troops and helicopters.

Resultantly, on night 13 July, a group of 6-8 terrorists was spotted while moving towards a nullah in nearby mountains by one of the teams of security forces. On sensing their possible encirclement, terrorists shot Lt Col Laiq Shaheed and attempted to flee the site.

In the ensuing exchange of fire, two terrorists were gunned down by the security forces, while a huge cache of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), explosives and ammunition have also been recovered from their hideout.

However, in the process, the remaining terrorists, along with the other abductee Omer, were able to flee for the time being.

Determined to recover the innocent civilian hostage and apprehend perpetrators, a sanitisation operation in the area by security forces continues unabated for the last 36 hours despite bad weather conditions.

Security forces remain resolute to thwart such cowardly attempts at sabotaging the peace, stability and progress of Balochistan, the ISPR said.

PM Shehbaz send condolences

Following the news of the colonel's martyrdom, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to his Twitter account and sent his condolences. 

"Deeply grieved over martyrdom of Lt Col Laiq Baig Mirza in Balochistan. Our law enforcement agencies will hunt down all those who perpetrated this heinous crime & bring them to justice. My thoughts & prayers are with bereaved family. Nation grieves with them & shares their sorrow," he wrote.