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ISLAMABAD: At least 15 newborn babies were killed after a fire broke out at the nursery of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad early Wednesday morning. According to rescue officials, the fire erupted at around 6:45am on the third floor of the hospital’s Mother and Child Health (MCH) ward. The blaze reportedly started after an air-conditioning unit exploded and spread rapidly through the nursery. PIMS authorities said 16 babies were present in the nursery when the fire broke out. Fifteen newborns died in the incident, while one baby was successfully rescued. Rescue officials said the fire was brought under control and cooling operations were initiated afterward. Six fire engines and four ambulances took part in the rescue operation after emergency teams reached the hospital soon after receiving the alert. According to the district administration, 14 babies suffered severe burns in the incident. An investigation committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner has been formed to determine the exact cause of the fire and establish how the tragedy occurred. The MCH ward was later sealed as authorities began examining the scene. Parents of the deceased babies alleged that hospital staff were not present inside the incubation centre when the fire broke out. The allegations are expected to form part of the investigation into the incident. Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal confirmed that at least 14 deaths had been reported, while other officials put the death toll at 15. He said the Director General Health and hospital secretary were present at the facility and were coordinating with the families of the victims. Speaking about the incident, Kamal said the fire started at around 6:45am following an explosion in an air-conditioning unit. He said the blaze spread extremely quickly and the hospital’s electricity supply was also disrupted immediately after the explosion. The minister said doctors and staff were present in the intensive care area at the time. According to him, some staff members went to call the rescue service, but the fire spread rapidly before the situation could be brought under control. He added that the hospital’s firefighting equipment was functioning and that PIMS was already operating beyond its normal capacity.

More than nine terrorists have been killed in intelligence-based operations in different areas of Balochistan, according to security sources. The operations were conducted under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3. Security forces carried out targeted actions after receiving intelligence about the presence and movement of terrorists. A major intelligence-based operation was conducted in the mountainous area between Ziarat and Harnai. Security forces surrounded a suspected terrorist hideout after receiving credible intelligence. The operation resulted in the killing of eight terrorists. Their hideout was also destroyed during the action. Security forces also conducted an operation in Hajika village in Surab district. One terrorist was killed in the operation. According to security sources, the movement of terrorists between Dasht-e-Katai and Hajika had been detected before the operation. Security forces tracked their movement and launched the action after confirming their presence. Weapons and other equipment were recovered from the possession of the killed terrorists. The recovered items included ammunition, magazines, hand grenades, a walkie-talkie, a motorcycle and other material. Security sources said operations against terrorist groups would continue across Balochistan. They said security forces remained determined to eliminate terrorism and establish lasting peace in the province. The latest operations are part of continued efforts to prevent terrorist activities and disrupt militant networks. Security forces have intensified intelligence-based actions to target terrorist hideouts and movements. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces for the successful operations. He said the personnel who foiled the terrorists’ plans deserved the nation’s appreciation. Naqvi said the operations reflected the security forces’ commitment to protecting national security. He added that the nation stood firmly with the security forces in the fight against terrorism. The interior minister said operations against Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij were continuing. He made it clear that such actions would continue until the threat of terrorism was eliminated.