More than 71 terrorists killed in Balochistan operations over 96 hours: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: More than 71 terrorists have been killed in security operations across Balochistan over the past 96 hours, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday.

According to the military’s media wing, 33 terrorists backed by Indian-sponsored “Fitna Al-Khawarij” and “Fitna Al-Hindustan” were killed during an operation in the Shaban area of Quetta, while 23 were killed during intensified operations over the past 72 hours.

The security forces launched the operation in Ziarat and surrounding areas on September 21 after intelligence agencies identified multiple hideouts of what the ISPR described as Indian-sponsored Fitna Al-Khawarij and Fitna Al-Hindustan.

During the operation, security forces engaged the militants and cleared multiple hideouts, recovering weapons, ammunition and explosives, the ISPR said.

The military said the clearance operation was under way until the complete neutralisation of the threat.

In separate intelligence-based operations on September 25, security forces killed 11 terrorists at a hideout in Nushki and six members of Fitna Al-Hindustan in Mand, according to the ISPR. A large quantity of weapons and ammunition was also recovered.

The ISPR said the operations had cleared a vast area and relieved local communities of the threat posed by the militants.

The military further alleged that the Afghan Taliban regime’s involvement in terrorist activities in Pakistan, backed and sponsored by India, continued to threaten peace and stability.

The counter-terrorism campaign under the government’s “Azm-e-Istehkam” framework would continue with full resolve, the ISPR said, adding that security forces and law-enforcement agencies remained committed to eliminating foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.

President, interior minister hail security forces for Balochistan operations

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday praised security forces for successful operations against terrorists in Balochistan.

President Zardari commended the security forces for killing more than 71 terrorists in Balochistan, describing the operations against Indian-and Afghan Taliban-backed Fitna Al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan militants as commendable.

He said the clearance of multiple terrorist hideouts in Balochistan was a major achievement for the security forces.

Zardari said operations against foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism would continue until the threat was completely eliminated.

He said the sacrifices and services of security forces in the fight against terrorism were a source of pride for the nation.

Naqvi also praised the security forces for their professional capabilities and for killing several terrorists in successful operations across Balochistan.

He said the successful operations had thwarted the terrorists’ “nefarious designs”.

“The brave sons of the security forces are a source of pride for the nation,” Naqvi said, adding that the people stood shoulder to shoulder with security forces in the fight against terrorism.

He said operations against Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij would continue until the militants were completely eliminated.

Balochistan govt adviser praises forces for killing terrorists

Meanwhile, Balochistan Home Affairs Adviser Babar Yousafzai on Sunday praised security forces for their operations against terrorists, saying more than 71 terrorists had been killed in Shaban, Ziarat, Nushki and Mand.

Yousafzai described the operations as a major success and said the security forces had demonstrated that there would be no compromise in the fight against terrorism.

He said timely operations had inflicted significant damage on terrorist networks, while the recovery of large quantities of weapons and ammunition demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-based operations.

“The sacrifices of security forces and law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism are a matter of pride for the nation,” Yousafzai said.

He said security forces were continuing operations against elements threatening peace in Balochistan with courage and professional expertise.

Yousafzai said the government and people of Balochistan stand alongside the security forces, adding that the state was fully committed to eliminating terrorism from the province.