ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Security forces killed 11 terrorists and recovered 2.9 tonnes of explosives in separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Balochistan’s Kharan and Washuk districts, the military’s media affairs wing said on Wednesday.
According to a statement by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the security forces conducted the IBOs in Kharan and Washuk on September 6 and 7, respectively, on the “reported presence of terrorists belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna al Hindustan and neutralised 11 Indian-sponsored terrorists”.
The state has designated Balochistan-based groups as Fitna-al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.
ISPR said terrorists attempted to establish a roadblock in Kharan and disrupted local traffic on Sunday. “The security forces promptly intercepted and engaged the terrorists, whereby, killing eight Indian-sponsored terrorists,” it added.
The forces conducted another “deliberately planned” IBO in Washuk district on Monday on reports of the presence of terrorists, the statement said.
“During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively busted terrorists’ hideout and after an intense fire exchange, three terrorists were sent to hell,” ISPR said, adding that security forces recovered 2.9 tonnes of explosives being used for preparing improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
It further said that sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate “any other Indian-sponsored terrorist” found in the area.
ISPR reaffirmed that the security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue the “relentless counterterrorism campaign” under Azm-i-Istehkam, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, to wipe out the “menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country”.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the security forces for killing terrorists and recovering the explosives.
“The nefarious designs of terrorists who are active under Indian patronage will be thwarted at all costs,” the president was quoted as saying in a statement.
“Operations will continue until the complete eradication of terrorists belonging to Fitna al Hindustan network,” he added.
PM Shehbaz also commended the security forces for foiling the attempt to block a road and disrupt traffic in Kharan and praised the professional capabilities of the forces for destroying a terrorist hideout in Washuk.
He reiterated the government’s aim to eradicate “terrorism conducted under India’s patronage” and pledged that operations against terrorist elements would continue with full force.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi lauded the security forces’ professional skills for thwarting the “nefarious designs” of the terrorists, his ministry said.
He saluted the security forces for eliminating the terrorists and said they were determined to eradicate the Indian-sponsored terrorists, the interior ministry said in a post on X.
“The brave sons of the security forces are a source of pride for the nation and it stands with them in the fight against terrorism,” Naqvi was quoted as saying.
Terrorism surge
Balochistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist attacks in recent weeks, prompting security forces to intensify counter-terrorism operations.
On the night of Aug 31-Sept 1, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists launched a coordinated attack on the Customs House, located at Ziarat Cross on the N-50 National Highway, in Pishin district.
While security forces responded effectively and killed 10 terrorists, two officers were among six martyred in the fire exchange, ISPR said.
Also on August 31, 11 terrorists belonging to Fitna al Hindustan, who had blocked the N-40 Quetta-Taftan highway by establishing an illegal checkpoint for extortion in Chagai’s Nokcha area, were eliminated following an intense exchange of fire.
On September 2, security forces killed 12 terrorists in the Kalat district during an IBO conducted on the reported presence of Fitna al Hindustan terrorists.
Another 36 terrorists were eliminated during multiple “high-tempo” operations conducted in Mastung, Quetta, Kalat and Sibi districts, the ISPR said on September 4. These included thwarting an attack on a police station in Sibi’s Bhag area.
Last month, the security situation remained most severe in Balochistan, where the number of terrorist attacks increased by seven per cent from 83 in July to 89 in August, according to a monthly assessment by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies.
