RAWALPINDI: The military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said on Saturday that security forces killed eight terrorists during two high-tempo intelligence-based operations carried out in Balochistan’s Kharan and Mastung districts.
According to an ISPR statement, the intelligence-driven operations were conducted on June 25 and 26 as part of an ongoing counterterrorism campaign aimed at eliminating Fitna al Hindustan. The government uses the term Fitna al Hindustan to refer to Balochistan-based terrorist groups, alleging they are backed by India to destabilise Pakistan.
ISPR said that on June 25, security forces detected the movement of a group of terrorists in Kharan district. Acting on the intelligence, troops launched a precise and well-coordinated operation, killing three terrorists allegedly linked to Fitna al Hindustan, while several others were injured.
The military’s media wing added that on June 26, security forces carried out a pre-emptive intelligence-based operation in Mastung district after receiving information about the possible presence of a suicide bomber. During the operation, troops engaged the suspected hideout, and following an intense exchange of fire, five terrorists, including a suicide bomber, were killed.
ISPR said security forces recovered weapons, ammunition, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and motorcycles used by the terrorists during the operation.
The statement added that sanitisation operations were continuing in the area to clear any remaining Indian-sponsored terrorists. It reiterated that Pakistan’s counterterrorism campaign would continue at full pace to eliminate the threat of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the security forces for the successful operations, saying they reflected the forces’ professionalism and unwavering determination. In a statement issued by the Presidency, he stressed that operations should continue until foreign-sponsored terrorism is completely eradicated from Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised the security forces, saying Pakistan’s fight against terrorism would continue until all forms of militancy were eliminated from the country. In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), he said those seeking to undermine Pakistan’s peace would face a crushing defeat on every front.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also commended the security forces for the successful operations, according to state-run PTV. He said their timely action had foiled the terrorists’ malicious plans and praised their professionalism and bravery. Naqvi added that the nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in the fight against terrorism.
Earlier this month, on June 9, ISPR said one soldier embraced martyrdom while 14 terrorists were killed during a security operation in Balochistan’s Basima area. On June 2, the military said security forces had killed 17 terrorists in intelligence-based operations across different districts of Balochistan following a suicide car bomb attack targeting a shuttle train in Quetta.