Plot to form Daesh network foiled, Pakistan army says

Islamabad: Pakistan’s army says a recent operation has broken up an attempt to set up an Daesh group network in the country.

The army said on Thursday a Taliban-linked sectarian outfit, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Almi (LeJA), was working to establish a Daesh foothold in the country.

The three-day operation, conducted in rough terrain in southwestern Balochistan province, and left 12 militants dead.

The Daesh group claimed a suicide attack last month in the district, which killed 25 people.

Pakistan has denied any organized presence of the Daesh group in the country, but admits some local militant groups have started using its banner.

Some Pakistani sectarian groups have in recent months partnered with Daesh to launch attacks.

The security forces conducted an operation in Mastung area of the province from June 1 to 3 on actionable intelligence, an army statement said. It included finer details of the three-day long operation.

“The successful operation by security forces in Mastung denied establishment of any direct or indirect Isis [Daesh] organiszed infrastructure in Balochistan [province of] Pakistan, also foiled terrorist incidents in Pakistan,” the army said.

The statement said there were reports that about 10-15 militants of the banned LeJA were hiding in caves near Isplingi mountains, 36 kilometres southeast of Mastung.

“The said organisation was reportedly making efforts for communication with Isis (Daesh) and intended to facilitate establishment of Isis foothold in Balochistan,” it said.

An operation to carry out a physical clearance of the target area, spread over 10 kilometres, started early morning on June 1 and continued for three days, the military said, as militants hiding in caves put up a stiff resistance.

The army said a 250-metre long gorge with steep sides and multiple caves made the clearance operation difficult and challenging but the intelligence and security forces personnel fought valiantly to clear the hideout by June 3.

“During exchange of fire, 12 hardcore terrorists including two suicide bombers were killed,” it said, adding that five security forces personnel including two officers were also injured in the operation.

The suicide bomber used against Deputy Chairman of the Senate Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri on May 12 was also sent by this group from the same hideout.

During the operation, security forces destroyed a bomb making facility inside cave and recovered cache of arms and ammunition which included 50 kilogrammes of explosive, three suicide jackets, 18 grenades, six rocket launchers, four light machine guns, 18 small machine guns, four sniper rifles, 38 communication sets and huge ammunition of various types.

Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa appreciated effort of Southern Command, intelligence agencies and the troops for the successful operation.