Eight Indian proxy terrorists killed in IBOs across Balochistan

RAWALPINDI: Security forces eliminated eight terrorists affiliated with the Indian proxy outfit Fitna al-Hindustan during two intelligence-based operations (IBOs) conducted in Balochistan's Kharan and Mastung districts, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday.

According to the military's media wing, the first operation was launched on June 25 in Kharan after security forces received credible intelligence regarding the movement of a group of terrorists. In a precise and well-executed engagement, three terrorists were killed while several others sustained injuries.

In a separate pre-emptive intelligence-based operation carried out the following day in Mastung, security forces targeted the suspected hideout of a suicide bomber. During an intense exchange of fire, troops successfully neutralised five terrorists, including a suicide bomber, the ISPR said.

The military's media wing stated that security forces recovered a cache of weapons, ammunition, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and motorcycles used by the terrorists during the operation.

The ISPR said sanitisation operations were continuing in the area to eliminate any remaining Indian-sponsored terrorists and ensure the complete clearance of the region.

Reaffirming the armed forces' commitment to eliminating terrorism, the ISPR said Pakistan's security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue their relentless counterterrorism campaign under the Azm-e-Istehkam strategy, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, to eradicate the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.

The federal government had last year officially designated terrorist groups operating in Balochistan as Fitna al-Hindustan, accusing India of sponsoring a proxy war through these militant outfits.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the security forces for the successful operations. In separate statements, both leaders praised the professionalism, operational capability, and unwavering resolve of the armed forces, reaffirming that the nation stood united with its security forces in the fight against foreign-sponsored terrorism and that the campaign would continue until the complete eradication of the threat.