Three Militants killed, soldier among 5 martyred in Gwadar attack: ISPR
Three Militants killed, soldier among 5 martyred in Gwadar attack: ISPR
Saadullah Akhtar
BalochistanLead

QUETTA: Five people, including four employees of the Pearl Continental Gwadar and a solider of Pakistan navy martyred and six others injured in the whole night operation and exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists in the port city of Gwadar, security officials said on Sunday.

QUETTA: Five people, including four employees of the Pearl Continental Gwadar and a solider of Pakistan navy martyred and six others injured in the whole night operation and exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists in the port city of Gwadar, security officials said on Sunday.

Security forces completed the operation on Sunday noon and cleared all the four floors of the PC Gwadar after killing three terrorists who attacked the hotel on Saturday afternoon. Six persons, including two Army captains and two soldiers of Pakistan Navy, official sources said.The security of the port city was increased and special arrangements were made to ensure security of the Chinese Port Handling Company and others who were working on different projects under CPEC.

According to a statement of Inter-services Public Relation (ISPR) Said that security forces have completed clearance operation at PC Gwadar. All 3 terrorists killed. Terrorist’s bodies are held for identification.  “Five 5 individuals got Shaheed including 4 hotel employees and a Pakistan Navy soldier. 6 individuals got injured including 2 Army Captains, 2 Pakistan Navy soldiers and 2 hotel employees,” ISPR said.

Terrorists had attempted entry into the hotel aimed at targeting/ taking hostage the guests present in hotel. Security guard at entry challenged terrorists denying them entry into main hall and terrorists went to staircase leading to upper floors. Terrorists opened fire resulting into martyrdom of security guard Zahoor. Enroute to stairs, terrorists kept firing indiscriminately resulting into martyrdom of three more hotel employees, Farhad, Bilawal and Awais while 2 got injured.

Quick Reaction Forces of Army, Navy and Police, ISPR statement said immediately reached hotel, secured guests and staff present in the hotel and restricted terrorists within corridor of fourth floor.  After ensuring safe evacuation of guests and staff, clearance operation was launched to take on terrorists. Meanwhile terrorists had made CCTV cameras dysfunctional and planted IEDs on all entry points leading to 4th floor.

“Security Forces made special entry points to get into 4th floor, shot down all terrorists and cleared planted IEDS. In exchange of fire Pak Navy soldier Abbas Khan embraced Shahadat while 2 Army Captains, 2 Pakistan Navy soldiers got injured,” The Public Relation wing of Pakistan Army said.
DG ISPR, Major General Ghafoor thanks entire media for responsible reporting and coverage of operation. This actually denied terrorists of possible live updates thus facilitated security forces in smooth execution of the operation.

Official sources confirmed that three terrorists had barged into the hotel after killing a hotel security guard who challenged them at the entry door of the hotel. The Navy Commandos, army personnel and police immediately reached in the area and after cordoning of the hotel and sealing all roads leading towards Koh-e-Batil on which PC Gwadar is located launched operation and evacuative all the people including some guests. The Navy helicopters also continued flying over the hotel to monitor the situation.

Officials sources said that the guests shifted from the hotel were not including any Chinese or foreigner. “No foreigner was staying in the hotel when armed men entered into the hotel,” officials said. Chinese handling the Gwadar port also not stay in the hotel as they have their resident complex.

Deputy Inspector General Police, Makran Range, Rao Munir Zia said that security forces present in the hotel had cleared three floors of the hotel last night engaging the terrorists at four floor. “Security forces completed the operation after checking each and every corner and room of the hotel.” Roa Zia said.

Meanwhile, PC Gwadar building was badly damaged due to explosions and rocket firing. “The four floor of the hotel completely destroyed as armed men planted improvised explosive devices at all the entry points and also fired rockets,” security officials said, adding that ground floor and other three floors also damaged in the gun battle.

The security authorities and local administration in Gwadar has tighten the security of the port city deploying more security personnel of police, ATF, levies and Frontier Corps at various points of town. Patrolling was also increased in the port city. The routes leading towards Gwadar Port and other important places were still sealed and non body is allowed to travel on it.