48 terrorists killed in military operations in Pakistan

Pakistani security forces have killed 48 terrorists in multiple “high-tempo” anti-terror operations across Balochistan over the past three days, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday.

According to the military’s media wing, the operations were carried out in Mastung, Quetta, Kalat and Sibi districts against “Indian proxies, Fitna-al-Hindustan and Fitna-al-Khawarij”.

The state uses the term Fitna-al-Khawarij for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and has designated Balochistan-based groups as Fitna-al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.

In an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Mastung district on Friday, security forces identified the movement of terrorists and engaged them. Six “Indian-sponsored terrorists” were killed in the ensuing exchange of fire, the ISPR said.

A cache of ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) was also recovered and destroyed during the operation, it added.

In another IBO in the Shaban area of Quetta district, security forces identified “four khawarij hideouts”. Following an exchange of fire, 26 terrorists were killed, according to the ISPR.

In Kalat district, security forces raided a terrorist hideout, killing two terrorists in the ensuing firefight, the military said.

Meanwhile, in the Bhag area of Sibi district, security forces foiled an attempt by terrorists to raid a local police station. Two terrorists were killed in the operation, according to the ISPR.

“In last 48-72 hours, 48 terrorists belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna-al-Hindustan and Fitna-al-Khawarij have been neutralised across Balochistan,” the ISPR said.

Earlier today, ISPR issued a statement regarding a 2 September IBO in Kalat district, where 12 terrorists were killed. The IBO was conducted on the reported presence of terrorists belonging to the Indian proxy Fitna-al-Hindustan, the military’s media wing said.

President Asif Ali Zardari hailed the professional capabilities of the security forces for eliminating the terrorists in operations across Balochistan.

“The killing of more than 1,188 terrorists in Balochistan this year alone is evidence of the threats facing Pakistan and the readiness of the security forces,” he said in a statement.

The president expressed the government’s firm resolve to eradicate “foreign-backed and enabled terrorism” from the country.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also commended the security forces for the series of operations that resulted in the killing of 36 terrorists, APP reported.

In a statement, Naqvi said their elimination reflected the forces’ operational capabilities and commitment to maintaining security, highlighting that the forces had thwarted plans of elements seeking to destabilise the country.

He noted that the forces had been conducting effective actions in different regions to counter terrorism and prevent attacks on civilians and state institutions.

The interior minister emphasised that Pakistan’s fight against terrorism required continued national unity and support for the institutions.