QUETTA: Security forces have killed four India-sponsored militants during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Panjgur district, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the military’s media wing said the operation was carried out on December 26 after reports of the presence of militants linked to an Indian proxy group, Fitna al Khwarij. Troops engaged the suspected hideout, and following an intense exchange of fire, four militants were neutralised.
The forces also recovered weapons, ammunition and explosives from the site. The statement added that those killed had been actively involved in multiple terrorist activities in the area.
A follow-up sanitisation operation was conducted to ensure no other militants remained in the vicinity. The ISPR said the counterterrorism drive under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam” would continue at full pace, with security forces and law enforcement agencies committed to eliminating foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.
The operation came a day after security forces killed five militants in a separate encounter in Balochistan’s Kohlu district.
Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in militant attacks in recent years, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, following the Taliban takeover in neighbouring Afghanistan in 2021. Islamabad has repeatedly called on the Afghan Taliban to prevent armed groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan.
Cross-border violence has also led to intermittent clashes between the two countries, including week-long fighting in October this year. Earlier this month, Pakistan issued a formal demarche to the Afghan authorities, expressing serious concern over continued support and facilitation allegedly provided to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
