Eight terrorists killed in intelligence-based operations in Balochistan, says ISPR

QUETTA: Security forces killed eight terrorists in two intelligence-based operations in Balochistan’s Kharan and Mastung districts, according to the military’s media wing.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the operations targeted militants it described as belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan. According to the statement, security forces received intelligence on June 25 about the movement of a group of terrorists in Kharan. It said three terrorists were killed in what it described as a precise engagement, while several others were injured.

The ISPR said a separate operation was carried out the following day in Mastung after information about the possible presence of a suicide bomber. It said troops launched a pre-emptive intelligence-based operation and, after what it described as an intense exchange of fire, killed five terrorists, including a suicide bomber.

The military’s media wing said weapons, ammunition, improvised explosive devices and motorcycles used by the militants were recovered during the Mastung operation. It added that sanitisation operations were continuing to clear the area of any other militants it described as Indian-sponsored.

The federal government last year officially designated all terrorist groups operating in Balochistan as Fitna al-Hindustan, accusing India of backing a proxy war through such outfits.

In its statement, the ISPR said the ongoing counterterrorism drive was continuing under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif separately praised the security forces for the operations. According to official statements, both leaders said the outcome reflected the professionalism, capability and resolve of Pakistan’s security forces.

The president and the prime minister also reaffirmed support for continued action against what they described as foreign-sponsored terrorism, saying the broader campaign would continue until the threat was eradicated.