Adviser to the prime minister, Rana Sanaullah said on Monday that several terrorists had been arrested and that the matter would be taken forward after investigation.

Speaking during a Senate session, Sanaullah said that using soft language created ambiguity in the stance against terrorism, and such ambiguity strengthened terrorists. He maintained that national unity after the APS tragedy led to 'Operation Zarb-e-Azb', following which terrorism had been brought close to an end.

He said there should be no hesitation or qualification in calling terrorists terrorists and enemies of the state, and that action against them should be taken without excuse. He questioned how the killing of innocent people could be termed as “discontent”.

Sanaullah said the opposition leader questioned why these individuals were killed. He said they were killed because they were agents of an enemy country. He added that the armed forces had demonstrated wisdom and strength. He said the enemy could not act on the border and was instead running 'Operation Sindoor' through misguided individuals. He said these elements wanted to break Pakistan on the instructions of an enemy state and that no dialogue was possible with them. He questioned whether they believed in the system while demanding elections.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) stalwart said the terrorists had riddled 30 passengers with bullets and spread propaganda against Pakistan on social media. He said that under 'Operation Sindoor-II', carried out on India’s instructions, such attacks were conducted. He said 177 terrorists were killed, while 33 civilians and 17 security personnel were martyred.

He said the militants came out at various locations to challenge the writ of the state, attacked police and took civilians hostage. "An attempt to enter the Red Zone in Quetta was foiled. After the arrival of forces, the militants fled towards their hideouts and were chased, resulting in the killing of 177 terrorists," said the interior minister.