Pakistani forces report multiple counter-terror operations across Balochistan, killing dozens

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More than 71 terrorists were killed in Shaban and other areas of Balochistan in the last 96 hours, the military’s media affairs wing said on Sunday. In a statement, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) recalled that based on credible intelligence, security forces had launched a “swift operation against the terrorists in Ziarat and surrounding areas” on Sept 21. “As the Pakistan Army’s operation progresses, more than 71 terrorists have been killed so far in Operation Shaban and other areas of Balochistan in [the] last 96 hours, delivering a serious blow to Indian-backed Afghan proxies,” the statement said. ISPR noted that Pakistan’s intelligence agencies had identified “multiple hideouts of Indian-sponsored Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan in the general area of Shaban, District Quetta, posing a threat to the local population”. The state uses the term Fitna al Khawarij for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and refers to designated Balochistan-based groups as Fitna al Hindustan to highlight India’s role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan. During the operation in Shaban, security forces engaged the terrorists and cleared multiple hideouts, ISPR said. Following intense exchanges of fire, 33 “Indian-sponsored terrorists” were killed, with weapons, ammunition and explosives also recovered. Over the last 72 hours, the operation was intensified, resulting in the killing of 23 terrorists, the statement added. “Security forces have cleared a vast area and relieved local communities of the threat posed by Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan. The clearance operation is continuing until complete neutralisation of the threat,” ISPR stated. ISPR then recalled that 11 “Indian-sponsored terrorists” were killed in a separate intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Noshki on Sept 25 (Friday). Another six “Fitna al Hindustan terrorists” were neutralised in Mand, with a large quantity of weapons and ammunition recovered, according to ISPR. The statement highlighted that the “Afghan Taliban regime’s involvement in terrorism activities in Pakistan, backed and sponsored by India, continues to cause loss of precious lives and threaten peace and stability”. The counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-i-Istehkam”, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, will continue with full resolve, ISPR declared. “Security forces and law enforcement agencies remain committed to eliminating foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” it reaffirmed. According to earlier ISPR statements, six terrorists had been killed during “pre-emptive” IBOs in Kech and Quetta West on Sept 22 and 23. The number of terrorists killed in the Shaban operation reached 13 on Sept 23, and then increased to 22 the next day. Balochistan has witnessed an increase in terrorist attacks in recent weeks, prompting security forces to intensify counter-terrorism operations. The number of terrorist attacks in the province 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.

Security forces have killed 33 terrorists in counter-terrorism operations in Balochistan since Sept 21, the military’s media affairs wing said in a statement on Friday. Terrorists from Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan were targeted in the operations, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The state uses the term Fitna al-Khawarij for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and refers to designated Balochistan-based groups as Fitna al-Hindustan to highlight India’s role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan. Detailing the operations, the ISPR said that on Sept 24, as part of the ongoing Operation Shaban, security forces “busted additional terrorist hideouts, and after an intense fire exchange, five “India-sponsored terrorists” were killed. This took the tally of killed terrorist to 22, it added. “Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from khawarij locations. The clearance operation will continue till the complete neutralisation of threat from the area,” the statement said. In another engagement on Sept 25, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the Nushki district. “During the conduct of [the] operation, own troops effectively engaged [the] terrorists’ hideout and after an intense fire exchange, 11 terrorists were sent to hell,” the ISPR stated. “[The] relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ (as approved by [the] Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out [the] menace of foreign-sponsored and -supported terrorism from the country,” the military’s media wing added. Balochistan has witnessed an increase in terrorist attacks in recent weeks, prompting security forces to intensify counter-terrorism operations. The number of terrorist attacks in the province 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. A day prior, security for­ces killed 19 terrorists in separate intelligence-ba­s­ed operations in Sha­ban, Kech and Quetta West during which a soldier was also martyred. In a statement, the ISPR said inte­lligence agencies had reported the presence of multiple hideouts of Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan in Quetta district’s Shaban area, “posing a threat to the local population”. On September 22, six terrorists were killed and nine suspected individuals were arrested during an intelligence-based operation by security forces in Balochistan’s Saran Tangi area, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. According to Radio Pakistan, a large cache of ammunition and weapons were also recovered from the possession of the terrorists. Earlier that day, security forces killed four more terrorists belonging to a banned organisation in an intelligence-based operation carried out in two areas of Panjgur district. According to officials, security forces launched an intelligence-based operation on the information about the presence of armed militants in Koh-Prom and the Aphan area of Panjgur district. “Four armed terrorists of Fitna al Hindustan were killed in the heavy gun battle during the operation,” they said, adding that a large quantity of arms and ammunition was seized from the hideouts of the terrorists.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday that 19 terrorists had been killed and a soldier was martyred in several operations across Balochistan. In a statement, it said intelligence agencies had reported the presence of multiple hideouts of Indian-sponsored Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan in Quetta district’s Shaban area “posing a threat to the local population”. The state uses the term Fitna al Khawarij for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and refers to designated Balochistan-based groups as Fitna al Hindustan to highlight India’s role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan. “In order to safeguard the local populace and clear the area of terrorists, security forces have been conducting a clearance operation in the general area of Shaban since Sept 21. During the operation, security forces effectively engaged and cleared multiple terrorist hideouts,” it said. “Following an intense exchange of fire, 13 Indian-sponsored terrorists have been killed so far. Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the cleared hideouts. The clearance operation will continue until the complete neutralisation of the threat in the area,” it said. The ISPR statement went on to say that security forces also conducted “pre-emptive intelligence-based operations” in Kech and Quetta West, during separate engagements on Sept 22 and 23. “During the operations, troops effectively engaged the terrorists and, following an intense exchange of fire, six terrorists were killed,” it said, adding that weapons and ammunition were also recovered. It said that 39-year-old Subedar Muhammad Jamil, a resident of Taunsa Sharif, embraced martyrdom during the exchange of fire. The statement said that the counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ would continue at full pace. “Security forces and law enforcement agencies remain committed to eliminating the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” it concluded. President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the security forces for their successful operations. In a statement, he said that the elimination of Indian-backed terrorists was a testament to the professionalism of the security forces. President Zardari also paid tribute to Subedar Jamil, saying that his sacrifice was a symbol of the security forces’ unwavering commitment to the nation’s peace and security. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also hailed the successful operations. “We commend the courage and professional capabilities of the security forces for killing 19 terrorists,” Naqvi said, adding that operations against those disrupting the peace in Balochistan were ongoing. Earlier in the day, Radio Pakistan had reported that security forces killed two terrorists affiliated with Fitna al Hindustan during an intelligence-based operation in the Jausak area of Turbat. Pakistan Television had also reported that security forces continued operations against terrorists in Balochistan under Raddul Fitna-3. In Mastung, nine terrorists were killed after they attempted to attack a checkpost, according to the state broadcaster. Heavy weapons, ammunition and three motorcycles were also recovered, it added. “Operations will continue until the threat is eliminated,” Pakistan TV said, quoting the security forces. Terrorists killed in gun battle with police Meanwhile, Balochistan police killed five terrorists in a gun battle in Quetta’s Aghbarg area after terrorists attempted to attack a police station, officials said. Officials said the terrorists targeted the Aghbarg police station, located on the outskirts of Quetta, in the early hours of Wednesday. Police personnel deployed at the station immediately returned fire. “In a heavy exchange of fire, five terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan were killed by police,” Saddar Senior Superintendent of Police Shafqat Janjua said. He added that police had foiled the attack and seized weapons and ammunition. According to Janjua, the attackers arrived in the area on motorcycles before targeting the police station. Separately, the Edhi Foundation said one of its ambulances was allegedly hijacked by armed men in Balochistan on Wednesday. In a statement, the foundation said the ambulance was returning to the Edhi Kalat Centre at around 7:15am after transporting the body of a woman from an area near Gidar, about 110 kilometres from Civil Hospital, Kalat. The foundation said unidentified armed men assaulted the Edhi worker and took control of the ambulance. On Tuesday, Radio Pakistan reported that six terrorists were killed and nine suspected individuals were arrested during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) by security forces in Balochistan’s Saran Tangi area. On Monday, security forces killed four more terrorists belonging to a banned organisation in an intelligence-based operation carried out in two areas of Panjgur district. Last week, security forces killed 11 terrorists in separate operations in Panjgur and Chagai districts. The number of terrorist attacks in the province 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.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday that 19 terrorists had been killed and a soldier was martyred in several operations across Balochistan. In a statement, it said intelligence agencies had reported the presence of multiple hideouts of Indian-sponsored Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan in Quetta district’s Shaban area “posing a threat to the local population”. The state uses the term Fitna al Khawarij for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and refers to designated Balochistan-based groups as Fitna al Hindustan to highlight India’s role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan. “In order to safeguard the local populace and clear the area of terrorists, security forces have been conducting a clearance operation in the general area of Shaban since Sept 21. During the operation, security forces effectively engaged and cleared multiple terrorist hideouts,” it said. “Following an intense exchange of fire, 13 Indian-sponsored terrorists have been killed so far. Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the cleared hideouts. The clearance operation will continue until the complete neutralisation of the threat in the area,” it said. The ISPR statement went on to say that security forces also conducted “pre-emptive intelligence-based operations” in Kech and Quetta West, during separate engagements on Sept 22 and 23. “During the operations, troops effectively engaged the terrorists and, following an intense exchange of fire, six terrorists were killed,” it said, adding that weapons and ammunition were also recovered. It said that 39-year-old Subedar Muhammad Jamil, a resident of Taunsa Sharif, embraced martyrdom during the exchange of fire. The statement said that the counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ would continue at full pace. “Security forces and law enforcement agencies remain committed to eliminating the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” it concluded. Earlier in the day, Radio Pakistan had reported that security forces killed two terrorists affiliated with Fitna al Hindustan during an intelligence-based operation in the Jausak area of Turbat. Pakistan Television had also reported that security forces continued operations against terrorists in Balochistan under Raddul Fitna-3. In Mastung, nine terrorists were killed after they attempted to attack a checkpost, according to the state broadcaster. Heavy weapons, ammunition and three motorcycles were also recovered, it added. “Operations will continue until the threat is eliminated,” Pakistan TV said, quoting the security forces. Terrorists killed in gun battle with police Meanwhile, Balochistan police killed five terrorists in a gun battle in Quetta’s Aghbarg area after terrorists attempted to attack a police station, officials said. Officials said the terrorists targeted the Aghbarg police station, located on the outskirts of Quetta, in the early hours of Wednesday. Police personnel deployed at the station immediately returned fire. “In a heavy exchange of fire, five terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan were killed by police,” Saddar Senior Superintendent of Police Shafqat Janjua said. He added that police had foiled the attack and seized weapons and ammunition. According to Janjua, the attackers arrived in the area on motorcycles before targeting the police station. Separately, the Edhi Foundation said one of its ambulances was allegedly hijacked by armed men in Balochistan on Wednesday. In a statement, the foundation said the ambulance was returning to the Edhi Kalat Centre at around 7:15am after transporting the body of a woman from an area near Gidar, about 110 kilometres from Civil Hospital, Kalat. The foundation said unidentified armed men assaulted the Edhi worker and took control of the ambulance. On Tuesday, Radio Pakistan reported that six terrorists were killed and nine suspected individuals were arrested during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) by security forces in Balochistan’s Saran Tangi area. On Monday, security forces killed four more terrorists belonging to a banned organisation in an intelligence-based operation carried out in two areas of Panjgur district. Last week, security forces killed 11 terrorists in separate operations in Panjgur and Chagai districts. The number of terrorist attacks in the province 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.

At least 16 terrorists were killed during separate military and police operations in Balochistan’s Mastung, Turbat and Quetta districts on Wednesday, state media reported. According to Radio Pakistan, security forces killed two terrorists affiliated with Fitna al Hindustan during an intelligence-based operation in the Jausak area of Turbat. The state has designated Balochistan-based terrorist groups as Fitna al Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan Television reported that security forces continued operations against terrorists in Balochistan under Raddul Fitna-3. In Mastung, nine terrorists were killed after they attempted to attack a checkpost, according to the state broadcaster. Heavy weapons, ammunition and three motorcycles were also recovered, it added. “Operations will continue until the threat is eliminated,” Pakistan TV said, quoting the security forces. Meanwhile, Balochistan police killed five terrorists in a gun battle in Quetta’s Aghbarg area after terrorists attempted to attack a police station, officials said. Officials said the terrorists targeted the Aghbarg police station, located on the outskirts of Quetta, in the early hours of Wednesday. Police personnel deployed at the station immediately returned fire. “In a heavy exchange of fire, five terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan were killed by police,” Saddar Senior Superintendent of Police Shafqat Janjua said. He added that police had foiled the attack and seized weapons and ammunition. According to Janjua, the attackers arrived in the area on motorcycles before targeting the police station. Separately, the Edhi Foundation said one of its ambulances was allegedly hijacked by armed men in Balochistan on Wednesday. In a statement, the foundation said the ambulance was returning to the Edhi Kalat Centre at around 7:15am after transporting the body of a woman from an area near Gidar, about 110 kilometres from Civil Hospital, Kalat. The foundation said unidentified armed men assaulted the Edhi worker and took control of the ambulance. On Tuesday, Radio Pakistan reported that six terrorists were killed and nine suspected individuals were arrested during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) by security forces in Balochistan’s Saran Tangi area. On Monday, security forces killed four more terrorists belonging to a banned organisation in an intelligence-based operation carried out in two areas of Panjgur district. Last week, security forces killed 11 terrorists in separate operations in Panjgur and Chagai districts. The number of terrorist attacks in the province 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.