Attack on PAF base in Mianwali foiled; ISPR says 9 terrorists killed in clearance operation

• Terrorists attacked PAF's Mianwali Training Air Base. 
• Operation launched to end potential threat in surroundings.
• Three grounded aircrafts suffer some damage. 

RAWALPINDI: Security forces have eliminated nine militants in a clearance operation after a terrorist attack on Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) Mianwali Training Air Base was thwarted in a swift response by the troops, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Saturday.

The air base was targeted by militants earlier today, however, the security forces foiled the attack and launched an operation to eliminate any potential threat in the surroundings.

"Alhumdolliah, the combing and clearance operation at PAF Training Airbase Mianwali has been concluded and all nine terrorists have been sent to hell," said the military's media wing.

The statement added that the clearance operation was launched to eliminate any potential threat following the cowardly and failed terrorist attack on the base this morning.

"No damage has been done to any of the PAF’s functional operational assets, while only some damage was done to three already phased-out non-operational aircraft during the attack," added the statement.

ISPR further said that the prompt and professional conclusion of the operation serves as a stark reminder to all enemies of peace that PAF remains vigilant and is fully capable of defending the homeland from any threat.

PM commends security forces

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar commended the security forces, saying that the valiant PAF has proven its mettle by thwarting the terrorist attack once again. 

"The valiant Pakistan Air Force has once again proven its mettle by thwarting a cowardly terrorist attack in Mianwali. Any attempt to undermine our security will meet with unwavering resistance. The nation stands with you and we salute your courage and resolve," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. 

Former PM Shehbaz Sharif condemned the terror attack, saying that these repeated attacks reveal our enemies’ desperation, but the country stands resilient. 

"Our forces are vigilant, united to defeat terrorism. We’re determined to preserve peace and stability. Prayers for the affected families and our brave security personnel," he added. 

14 soldiers martyred in terrorist attack

A day earlier, 14 soldiers were martyred in a terrorist attack on two vehicles carrying security forces in Gwadar. The incident occurred when the security convoy was moving from Pasni to Ormara in Gwadar district. 

ISPR said that a sanitisation operation was being carried out in the area and perpetrators of "this heinous act will be hunted down [and] brought to justice".

Interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani strongly condemned the terrorist attack.

"Such acts are utterly reprehensible. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the martyred and injured. Pakistan stands resolute against terrorists," he said in a post on X.

TTP suicide bomber among two terrorists killed in KP IBOs

Moreover, two terrorists, including a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) suicide bomber, were killed while two others were injured in separate intelligence-based operations (IBO) in different areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday.

Three soldiers also lost their lives in one of the IBOs and a separate incident of an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in the Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan district.

In a separate IBO conducted in Lakki Marwat district, the security forces busted various terrorist hideouts, killing one terrorist.

Unfortunately, two soldiers — Naik Zafar Iqbal, 37, from Gujranwala and Sepoy Haji Jan, 30 from Gilgit Baltistan — lost their lives while fighting gallantly in an intense exchange of fire.

Moreover, another soldier, Havildar Shahid Iqbal, 39, from Mirpurkhas, embraced martyrdom in an IED blast in the Kulachi area of DI Khan.

Pakistan has been facing the daunting challenge of terrorism for the last year as several incidents of terror and violence have taken place lately. Earlier today, 14 soldiers were martyred as terrorists attacked a security forces convoy in Gwadar.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir last week said that the armed forces and its security and intelligence setups have fought the menace of terrorism in an exemplary manner despite sustained and varied support of inimical forces.

"Success will be ours InshAllah with the continued support of the people of Pakistan," COAS Munir said.

Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), in a report released in October, noted that the security forces lost at least 386 personnel in the first nine months of 2023, marking an eight-year high.

In the third quarter of 2023, some 445 people lost their lives and 440 suffered injuries from as many as 190 terror attacks and counter-terror operations.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan were the primary centres of violence, accounting for nearly 94% of all fatalities and 89% of attacks (including incidents of terrorism and security forces operations) recorded during this period.