President Zardari praises security forces for foiling Gwadar attacks

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has paid tribute to the security forces for foiling terrorist attacks in Gwadar and killing ten terrorists. According to a statement from the President House media wing, he also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of a civilian in the incident.

The president said conspiracies against peace and stability in Balochistan could not weaken the resolve of the province’s people for progress and prosperity. In his words, establishing peace was essential to protect the rights and interests of the people. He also condemned the use of the dignity of Baloch women for political ends.

According to The Express Tribune, the army’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said on Friday that terrorists linked to “Fitna al-Hindustan” attempted attacks near the Gabd crossing and in Gwadar city on Thursday. The statement said ten terrorists, including a woman, were killed in the operations. One civilian was killed and several vehicles were damaged in the attacks. There was no loss of life among security personnel, and the situation returned to normal.

The ISPR said the attackers targeted the very people they claim to represent. It said involving a Baloch woman in the attack was a crime against the state as well as against the honour of Baloch women. The statement announced that the counter-terrorism campaign would continue under “Azm-e-Istehkam”, which was approved by the federal apex committee of the National Action Plan.

Citing Radio Pakistan, The Express Tribune wrote that a day earlier three terrorists had been killed while foiling an attempted attack on an empty camp of a construction company in Gwadar. A separate operation was also under way against terrorists hiding in a hotel near the Gwadar highway.

On the same day, according to the ISPR, Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir visited the Corps Headquarters in Peshawar, where he was briefed on the security situation and counter-terrorism operations. He said the campaign against terrorist groups allegedly backed by India would continue.

The Express Tribune cited data from ACLED that attacks in Pakistan rose from 658 in 2022 to 2,425 in 2025, while attacks by the TTP rose from 118 to 838.