The Balochistan government has released its official report on the Mangi Dam check post attack, providing details about the deadly assault and the security operation that followed. According to the report, at least 27 security personnel embraced martyrdom, while security forces killed 15 militants during the operation.
The report states that intelligence agencies had issued advance warnings about a possible attack on the Mangi Dam check post. Acting on the intelligence, authorities strengthened security at the post several days before the incident by deploying additional police personnel and supplying more weapons.
On July 6, around 35 police personnel, led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), were stationed at the check post. The nearest Frontier Corps (FC) post was located approximately 20 kilometers away.
According to the report, intermittent gunfire was heard from a remote area at around 11:00 am. Police headquarters and the Frontier Corps were immediately informed. Officials believed the reinforced deployment was capable of responding to any threat that might emerge.
Following the initial exchange of fire, police headquarters dispatched another contingent of approximately 35 personnel to reinforce the check post. The Frontier Corps also deployed an armed helicopter, which conducted aerial surveillance over the area for nearly 90 minutes.
The report said the militants avoided launching a full-scale attack during daylight hours. Instead, they continued intermittent firing throughout the day, apparently attempting to exhaust the ammunition of the personnel defending the Mangi Dam check post. Despite the sustained pressure, security personnel continued to defend their position until evening.
When reinforcement teams attempted to reach the post, they also came under heavy gunfire, forcing them to stop at a safer distance. The Frontier Corps later used VTOL drones and mortar fire to target militant positions, creating an opportunity for police and FC personnel to move closer to the check post.
As darkness fell, the militants launched a direct assault. Security personnel at the post, supported by advancing reinforcements, offered strong resistance. According to the government, 15 militants were killed during the fighting. The report also stated that nine police personnel were martyred, while three others sustained injuries before being evacuated after reinforcements reached the area.
With ammunition running critically low, the remaining officers, including the DSP and other police personnel, attempted to withdraw under the cover of darkness in two separate groups. One group managed to reach safety, while the second group, consisting of 18 personnel, reportedly encountered militants and was taken hostage.
The report highlighted the difficult geography surrounding the Mangi Dam area. Officials said steep mountains, rocky terrain, deep ravines, and limited access routes significantly complicated military movement and rescue efforts. Security forces had to proceed cautiously due to the possibility of ambushes.
Following the attack, the Frontier Corps and Pakistan Army launched a large-scale combing operation covering more than 300 square kilometers of mountainous terrain. Authorities said the operation will continue until all militants operating in the area are eliminated.
The provincial government also rejected what it described as misleading narratives surrounding the incident. Officials maintained that the personnel stationed at the Mangi Dam check post fought bravely and continued resisting the attackers until their final moments despite facing overwhelming odds.
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The report was released shortly after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir visited Quetta following the recent attacks on security forces. During the visit, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continuing counterterrorism operations until militant networks are dismantled and the country’s security is fully restored.
