QUETTA(National Times)- Ten terrorists were killed in a targeted intelligence-based operation conducted by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Balochistan’s Barkhan district, the Home Department said on Saturday.

An aide in the Home Department, Babar Yousafzai, said: “During an intense gun battle, 10 armed terrorists were killed and two CTD officials were injured.”

The CTD had conducted a targeted operation after receiving credible information about the presence of terrorists belonging to the Indian proxy, Fitna al Hindustan, in the area, according to Yousafzai.

The state has designated Balochistan-based terrorist groups as Fitna-al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.

Yousafzai added that the CTD had also seized a large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives from the terrorists.

According to other officials in the department, two CTD personnel were taken to a hospital, while the bodies of the terrorists were taken to the Rara Sham district hospital.

Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti paid rich tributes to the personnel of CTD for conducting the successful operation.

He said that our brave security forces were playing an important role in the elimination of terrorism from Balochistan and rendering sacrifices to protect the lives and property of the people.

On Oct 7, security forces killed five terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan in Balochistan’s Mastung district, according to state media.

Late last month, the military’s media affairs wing said that more than 71 terrorists had been killed in Shaban and other areas of Balochistan during 96 hours.

On Sept 17, three terrorists were eliminated in an IBO in Balochistan’s Awaran district’s Badrang area. Another three were killed in Mastung on Sept 14. Earlier that month, 21 terrorists were killed in separate engagements in Nokcha, Chagai, Ziarat Cross, and Pishin.

The number of terrorist attacks in the province increased by seven per cent from 83 in July to 89 in August, according to PICSS’ monthly assessment. As per the report, Balochistan was declared the province “most affected” by terrorism.