Security forces killed five terrorists and recovered 23 abducted people during an operation near Kalat in Balochistan, the military’s media wing said on Sunday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), terrorists belonging to Fitna-al-Hindustan had established a checkpoint along the N-25 Karachi-Chaman highway to abduct people for ransom, carry out extortion and snatch vehicles.
The incident took place on the night between September 18 and 19, when the terrorists attempted to disrupt movement along the highway, also known as the Pakistan Expressway.
The ISPR said security forces responded immediately and engaged the terrorists in an intense exchange of fire. Five terrorists belonging to what it described as an India-sponsored proxy of Fitna-al-Hindustan were killed.
Security forces also recovered 23 abducted people from the terrorists’ hideout near Kalat. Six trucks, three buses and two cars were recovered from the location, along with large quantities of weapons, ammunition and explosives.
The military said the operation had thwarted the terrorists’ plans and that sanitisation operations were continuing in nearby areas to eliminate any remaining terrorists and ensure the safety of local residents and national highways.
The ISPR said the counter-terrorism campaign under the government-approved Azm-i-Istehkam framework would continue with full resolve. It added that security forces and law enforcement agencies remained committed to eliminating foreign-sponsored and foreign-supported terrorism from the country.
Recent operations in Balochistan
Balochistan has continued to face security challenges and terrorist attacks, prompting increased counter-terrorism operations by security forces.
According to a monthly assessment by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, terrorist attacks in the province increased by seven per cent, from 83 in July to 89 in August.
The ISPR and state media have reported several operations in the province in recent weeks.
On the night of August 31 and September 1, terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) launched a coordinated attack on the Customs House at Ziarat Cross on the N-50 National Highway in Pishin district.
Security forces killed 10 terrorists during the retaliatory operation, while six personnel, including two officers, were killed in the exchange of fire, according to the ISPR.
On August 31, security forces also killed 11 terrorists belonging to Fitna-al-Hindustan after they blocked the N-40 Quetta-Taftan highway by establishing an illegal checkpoint for extortion in the Nokcha area of Chagai.
On September 2, security forces killed 12 terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in Kalat district. Days later, troops killed 11 terrorists and recovered 2.9 tonnes of explosives during separate intelligence-based operations in Kharan and Washuk districts.
The ISPR said on September 4 that another 36 terrorists were killed during multiple “high-tempo” operations in Mastung, Quetta, Kalat and Sibi. The operations also thwarted an attack on a police station in Sibi’s Bhag area.
On Thursday, seven terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Badrang, Awaran district. State media reported that seven more terrorists were killed during two operations in Panjgur and Kachhi districts on Friday.
On Saturday, security forces also reportedly killed 11 more terrorists in Panjgur and Chagai districts as part of Operation Raddul Fitna 3.