Pakistan says troops killed 71 militants across Balochistan
File photo: REUTERS
Pakistani security forces killed more than 71 “terrorists” across Balochistan during Operation Shaban and other regional actions over a 96-hour period.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media affairs wing, announced these counter-terrorism results on Sunday. The armed forces initiated a “swift operation against the terrorists in Ziarat and surrounding areas” on 21 September following credible intelligence reports.
ISPR said, “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.”
Pakistani intelligence agencies previously pinpointed “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 Pakistani government uses the label Fitna al Khawarij for the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Meanwhile, the government applies the designation Fitna al Hindustan to designated Balochistan-based groups to emphasize India’s role in fueling terrorism and destabilization across Pakistan.
During actions in Shaban, security forces engaged militants directly, cleared several covert bases, and recovered substantial stockpiles of weapons, ammunition, and explosives after heavy firefights neutralized 33 “Indian-sponsored terrorists”.
Over the subsequent 72 hours, troops intensified the drive and eliminated 23 more militants. ISPR detailed the progress, saying, “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.”
The death toll in Shaban initially stood at 13 on 23 September before rising to 22 on 24 September. In a separate intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Noshki on Sept 25 (Friday), security forces killed 11 “Indian-sponsored terrorists”.
Forces neutralized six “Fitna al Hindustan terrorists” in Mand, recovering significant caches of arms and ammunition.
The military command underscored broader regional security concerns, with ISPR highlighting 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.”
ISPR affirmed that the national counter-terrorism campaign will proceed with full determination under the “Azm-i-Istehkam” vision, which the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan approved.
Reaffirming state resolve, ISPR added, “Security forces and law enforcement agencies remain committed to eliminating foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.”
Earlier military updates confirmed that security personnel killed six terrorists during “pre-emptive” IBOs in Kech and Quetta West on 22 September and 23 September.
These operations follow a recent surge in regional violence, as a monthly assessment from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies revealed that terrorist attacks in Balochistan escalated by 7 percent, rising from 83 incidents in July to 89 in August.
Addressing the issue of terrorism under foreign patronage, President Asif Ali Zardari praised security personnel for conducting successful operations against militants belonging to Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan in Balochistan.
A statement from the Presidency described the destruction of multiple terrorist strongholds as a pivotal success for the country’s armed forces. President Zardari emphasized that troops will maintain military operations until they achieve the total elimination of terrorism “fueled by foreign patronage and assistance”.
He added, “The sacrifices and services of our security forces in the fight against terrorism are a source of pride for the entire nation,”.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the troops and declared Pakistan’s firm determination to eradicate externally supported terrorism from its territory, according to state broadcaster Radio Pakistan.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also lauded the professional competence of the security forces, emphasizing that soldiers had successfully thwarted the “nefarious designs” of militant networks.
In a statement, Naqvi remarked, “The brave soldiers of the security forces are a proud asset of the nation,” while confirming that military actions against Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan will continue until full eradication.
Source: Dawn (adapted)
