17 terrorists killed in Balochistan operations, army soldier martyred: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Security forces killed 17 Indian-sponsored terrorists in two intelligence-based operations in Balochistan’s Kachhi and Kharan districts, while an army soldier was martyred during an exchange of fire, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were conducted on November 1 following reports about the presence of terrorists belonging to what it described as Indian proxy groups, Fitna Al Hindustan and Fitna Al Khawarij.

In the first operation in the Sanni area of Kachhi district, security forces thwarted an attempt by terrorists to establish a roadblock in the city and killed 10 of them, the statement said. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered.

In a separate operation in Kharan district, security forces raided a terrorist hideout and killed seven terrorists after an intense exchange of fire, the ISPR said.

During the operation, Sepoy Hikmat Ullah, 25, a resident of Karak district, was martyred while fighting, it added.

The military said sanitisation operations were under way to eliminate any other terrorists in the area.

It added that the counterterrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam”, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue to eliminate what it described as foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism.

PM, president and interior minister praise operations

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised security forces for killing the 17 terrorists and paid tribute to Sepoy Hikmat Ullah, who was martyred during the operation in Kharan.

In a statement, the prime minister prayed for the elevation of the soldier’s ranks and extended condolences to his family. He said security forces were achieving significant successes against terrorism under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate all forms of terrorism from the country.

President Asif Ali Zardari also commended security forces for the operations, particularly for thwarting the terrorists’ attempt to block a road in Kachhi district.

He praised their professionalism and alertness in foiling the terrorists’ designs and expressed grief over the martyrdom of Sepoy Hikmat Ullah.

“The sacrifice of Sepoy Hikmat Ullah for the defence, peace and security of the country will always be remembered,” the president said, according to a statement issued by the President’s Media Wing.

Zardari extended condolences to the soldier’s family and said operations under Azm-e-Istehkam would continue until the complete elimination of foreign-sponsored terrorism.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also praised security forces for killing the 17 Indian-sponsored terrorists and thwarting their plans.

Paying tribute to Sepoy Hikmat Ullah, he said the soldier had set an example by sacrificing his life for the country. Naqvi said the nation stood with security forces in the fight against terrorism and that they remained determined to eliminate Indian-sponsored terrorists.