Summary The Balochistan government released its report on the Mangi Dam check post attack, saying 27 security personnel were martyred while 15 militants were killed during the operation.
QUETTA (Dunya News) – The Balochistan government has released its report on the Mangi Dam check post attack, stating that at least 27 security personnel embraced martyrdom during the assault while security forces killed 15 militants in the ensuing operation.
According to the report, intelligence agencies had already warned of a possible attack, prompting authorities to reinforce the police post with additional personnel and weapons days before the incident. On July 6, around 35 police personnel led by a DSP were deployed at the check post, while the nearest Frontier Corps (FC) post was located about 20 kilometres away.
The report stated that intermittent gunfire was heard from a remote area at around 11am, after which police headquarters and the FC were immediately informed. Officials believed the reinforced deployment was capable of responding to the threat.
Following the initial exchange of fire, police headquarters dispatched a reinforcement contingent of about 35 personnel. The FC also deployed an armed helicopter for aerial surveillance, which monitored the area for nearly one and a half hours.
According to the report, the militants avoided launching a direct assault during the day and instead continued intermittent firing in an apparent attempt to exhaust the ammunition of the personnel stationed at the post. By evening, most of the ammunition had been used, although the officers continued defending their positions.
When reinforcements approached the check post, they also came under heavy fire, forcing them to halt at some distance. The FC then used VTOL drones and mortar fire to target the attackers, allowing police and FC personnel to advance toward the post.
As darkness fell, the militants launched a direct assault and closed in on the position. Police personnel at the check post, along with advancing reinforcements, offered stiff resistance. The government said 15 militants were killed in the fighting, while nine police personnel were martyred and three others sustained injuries. The injured were later evacuated after reinforcements reached the area.
The report stated that with ammunition nearly exhausted, the remaining personnel, including the DSP and 28 police officers, attempted to withdraw in two groups under the cover of darkness. One group led by the DSP managed to reach safety, while the second group of 18 personnel reportedly encountered militants and was taken hostage.
The government noted that the rugged terrain, steep mountains, deep ravines and rocky landscape significantly hampered movement and military operations, requiring security forces to proceed cautiously because of the risk of ambushes.
Following the attack, the FC and Pakistan Army launched a large-scale combing operation covering more than 300 square kilometres of mountainous terrain. Authorities said the operation would continue until all militants in the area were eliminated.
Rejecting what it described as misleading narratives surrounding the incident, the provincial government maintained that the personnel stationed at the Mangi Dam check post fought with determination and resisted the attackers until their last moments.
The report comes after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir visited Quetta following this week's attacks on security forces, where the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan's resolve to continue operations against terrorism until the last militant is eliminated.
