Mangi Dam Terrorist Attack: What Are the Facts?

Quetta — Babar Yousafzai

The terrorist attack on Mangi Dam was undoubtedly a tragic incident because of its deeply sorrowful outcome. However, the Balochistan Police demonstrated extraordinary courage and bravery. Following the incident, as always, anti-peace elements and groups pursuing different agendas began spreading misleading information and propaganda. It is therefore necessary to present the facts in their correct sequence.

▪️ On the morning of July 6, approximately 35 Balochistan Police personnel were deployed under the command of a Deputy Superintendent of Police. The strength had recently been increased after intelligence agencies issued an advance warning about a possible threat. The nearest Frontier Corps post was located approximately 20 kilometres away, where around 20 personnel were stationed.

▪️ At around 11:00 a.m. that day, reports were received of intermittent firing at a distance from the pumping station post. Since the post had recently been provided with additional personnel and improved weapons, the commanding officer maintained that the available force was sufficient to deal with the situation. The personnel remained firm at their positions, while Police Headquarters and the FC wing remained in continuous contact.

▪️ As a precautionary measure, Police Headquarters dispatched a special contingent of approximately 35 personnel as additional reinforcements. Meanwhile, the Frontier Corps also sent an armed helicopter to the area for aerial surveillance and support. The helicopter continued aerial monitoring for approximately one and a half hours.

▪️ The terrorists continued intermittent firing so that the police post would use as much of its ammunition as possible. By the evening, most of the post’s ammunition had been expended.

▪️ When the reinforcements approached the post, the terrorists also opened fire on them, forcing the contingent to stop at some distance from the post under attack. During this period, the FC deployed vertical take-off and landing drones and targeted the terrorists with mortar fire, under the cover of which the reinforcements began advancing.

▪️ By that time, the sun had set. The terrorists launched a direct assault on the post and moved closer. During the intense clash, the brave police personnel stationed at the post, along with the advancing police and FC reinforcements, mounted strong resistance. Fifteen terrorists were killed in the encounter, while nine brave police personnel embraced martyrdom and three were injured. The injured were shifted to a safe location after the FC and police reinforcements reached the area.

▪️ As the post had almost run out of ammunition, the remaining personnel, including the DSP and 28 police officials, attempted to leave in two groups under the cover of darkness.

▪️ Of the two groups, the group led by the DSP managed to reach safety. However, the second group, comprising 18 personnel, encountered the terrorists in the darkness of the night and was taken hostage.

▪️ The geography of the area is extremely difficult. Because of high mountains, deep crevices, rocky tracks and ravines, fighting mostly takes place at close range, while visibility and observation remain severely restricted. Due to these conditions, the FC and police continued their advance cautiously, as there was a risk of ambushes at several locations.

▪️ The FC and Pakistan Army are conducting a comprehensive combing operation throughout the area. The region consists of more than 300 square kilometres of difficult mountainous terrain. So far, eight additional terrorists have been killed in separate clashes, and the operation will continue until all terrorists have been eliminated.

▪️ Meanwhile, certain self-serving political elements are spreading different and misleading narratives. The reality, however, is that the police post resisted with its full capability until the last moment, while the FC and police reinforcements acted swiftly and courageously and fully supported their fellow personnel. The sacrifices of these brave men will always be remembered, and the entire nation will continue to take pride in them.