Eight militants killed in two Balochistan IBOs: ISPR

Security forces killed eight suspected militants during two intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Balochistan’s Kharan and Mastung districts, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday.

According to the military’s media wing, the operations were carried out against militants belonging to Indian proxy group “Fitna al Hindustan”.

The first operation was conducted on June 25 in Kharan after intelligence reports indicated the movement of a group of militants in the area. Security forces engaged the militants in what the ISPR described as a “precise and effective” operation, killing three of them while injuring several others.

A second IBO was launched on June 26 in Mastung after security agencies received information about the presence of a suspected suicide bomber.

The ISPR said security forces targeted the militants’ hideout, and after an intense exchange of fire, five suspected militants, including the alleged suicide bomber, were killed.

According to the military, weapons, ammunition, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and motorcycles were recovered from the militants during the operations. The ISPR said a clearance operation was continuing in the area to eliminate any remaining militants allegedly backed by India.

It added that security forces remained committed to continuing counterterrorism operations across the country in line with the National Action Plan and the government’s Azm-i-Istehkam strategy.