RAWALPINDI (MNN); Pakistan’s security forces killed 15 terrorists during two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) carried out in the Harnai and Basima districts of Balochistan, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Saturday.
The military’s media wing stated that the operations were conducted on March 5 following intelligence reports regarding the presence of militants belonging to groups described as Indian proxies.
“Fifteen terrorists belonging to Indian proxy groups, Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan, were killed during two separate operations in Balochistan,” the ISPR said.
The term Fitna al Khawarij is used by the state for militants affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Fitna al Hindustan refers to militant organisations operating in Balochistan.
According to the statement, one of the operations was conducted in Harnai district after intelligence indicated the presence of militants linked to Fitna al Khawarij.
During the operation, security forces targeted a militant hideout and engaged the suspects in a fierce gun battle.
“Our troops effectively engaged the khawarij hideout and after an intense exchange of fire, 12 Indian-sponsored khawarij were killed,” the statement said.
In a separate operation conducted in Basima district, security forces tracked militants belonging to Fitna al Hindustan.
The troops engaged the suspects using mixed-calibre weapons, leading to a heavy exchange of fire.
“After an intense firefight, three Indian-sponsored terrorists were eliminated,” the ISPR added.
Security forces also recovered weapons, ammunition and explosives from the militants who were killed during the operations. According to the military, the suspects were involved in multiple terrorist activities in the region.
The ISPR said sanitisation operations were ongoing in the area to ensure that no other militants linked to foreign-backed groups remain in the vicinity.
Pakistan’s military reiterated that the country’s counter-terrorism campaign would continue with full determination under the national security initiative Azm-i-Istehkam.
The statement emphasised that security forces and law enforcement agencies remain committed to eliminating the threat of foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.
Earlier this week, security forces carried out another intelligence-based operation in the Domel tehsil of Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, targeting suspected militants in a coordinated action that reportedly left several individuals injured.
Last month, the military said that 34 militants were killed in various operations conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. In the same week, nine terrorists, including a suicide bomber, were also killed during separate intelligence-based operations in the two provinces.
