Security forces kill five terrorists, recover 23 abductees near Kalat: ISPR

ISLAMABAD: Security forces have killed five terrorists and recovered 23 abductees during an operation near Kalat along Balochistan’s N-25 highway, 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 on the Chaman-Karachi N-25 highway during the night of September 18-19 in an attempt to disrupt the movement of people.

The terrorists were allegedly seeking to abduct people for ransom, extort money and snatch vehicles, the ISPR said.

“Security Forces responded immediately and after intense fire exchange, five terrorists belonging to Indian-sponsored proxy of Fitna-al-Hindustan were sent to hell,” the military’s media wing said.

The security forces also recovered 23 abductees from the terrorists’ hideout near Kalat, according to the statement.

Six trucks, three buses and two cars were also recovered, along with a large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives, the ISPR said.

The military’s media wing said the operation had thwarted the terrorists’ attempt to disrupt movement along the vital national highway.

“Sanitisation operations” were continuing in the surrounding areas to eliminate any remaining terrorists and ensure the safety and security of the local population and national highways, it added.

The ISPR said the counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-i-Istehkam”, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, would continue with full resolve.

The military’s media wing said security forces and law-enforcement agencies remained committed to eliminating what it described as foreign-sponsored and foreign-supported terrorism from the country.

Recent operations in Balochistan

The latest operation comes amid intensified counter-terrorism operations across Balochistan.

On September 2, security forces killed 12 terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in Kalat, according to the ISPR.

On September 4, the military said 36 terrorists had been killed in multiple “high-tempo” operations in Mastung, Quetta, Kalat and Sibi districts.

More recently, seven terrorists were killed in an intelligence-based operation in Awaran, while seven others were killed in separate operations in Panjgur and Kachhi districts, according to state media reports.

On Saturday, security forces also killed 11 terrorists in separate operations in Panjgur and Chagai districts, according to security sources cited by Pakistani media.

Balochistan has continued to face militant violence, with the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies reporting that terrorist attacks in the province rose from 83 in July to 89 in August.

I would **leave the President and prime minister reactions out of the main version unless you specifically need them**. They are routine follow-up statements and the operational details make for a stronger top-of-story. If included, they can be added as a short **“President, PM laud security forces”** section at the end.