At least 17 terrorists killed, 8 arrested in separate Balochistan, KP operations: ISPR

Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Security forces killed 17 terrorists in separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the military’s media wing said on Sunday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), From July 16 to 20, a joint operation in KP’s Malakand district led to the killing of nine terrorists reportedly backed by India, while eight others were captured.

The military’s media wing stated that the mission was carried out collaboratively by security forces, police, Levies, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), and the district administration. The offensive was launched following confirmed reports about the presence of militants associated with an Indian proxy network referred to as Fitna al-Khwarij.

“During the conduct of the operation, which spanned four days, troops effectively surrounded and engaged the terrorists’ location. After intense exchanges of fire, nine Indian-sponsored Khwarij were killed, while eight were taken into custody,” the ISPR reported. The operation also resulted in the destruction of two militant hideouts and the recovery of a substantial stockpile of arms, ammunition, and explosives.

Locals in the region voiced their approval of the counterterrorism effort, expressing solidarity with state institutions in the ongoing campaign against militancy. “Sanitisation operations are ongoing to eliminate any remaining threats in the area,” the statement added.

The ISPR emphasized that, with the nation’s backing, the security forces and law enforcement agencies remain resolute in their mission to wipe out what it called Indian-sponsored terrorism.

Meanwhile, in Balochistan province, eight more terrorists were killed in two separate operations.

In one raid carried out on Saturday night in the Pahrod area, security personnel targeted a group identified by officials as Fitna-e-Hindustan, which authorities claim is responsible for a recent wave of violence in the region. Intelligence officials said the operation was initiated after surveillance confirmed militant activity in the vicinity.

During the raid, four terrorists were neutralized and weapons, along with a flag linked to the group, were seized. A subsequent clearance operation was launched to secure the area.

“Terrorists and facilitators of Fitna-e-Hindustan will be made an example,” an intelligence source remarked, underlining the seriousness of the ongoing crackdown.

In a separate engagement in Balochistan’s Kalat district, another four militants were killed between the night of July 19 and 20.

According to ISPR, this action was based on intelligence confirming the presence of members of Fitna al Hindustan.

Security forces engaged the group’s hideout in a firefight that resulted in the deaths of the armed individuals. A large quantity of weapons, explosives, and ammunition was confiscated.

The military’s media wing said that the sanitisation operations were being conducted in the area to neutralize any remaining threats.

“Security forces and law enforcement Agencies of Pakistan, in step with the nation, are determined to wipe out the menace of Indian Sponsored Terrorism from the country,” the ISPR said.