By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Security forces killed four “Indian-sponsored terrorists” in an intelligence-based operation in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan, the military announced on Tuesday, amid a surge in violence that has plagued the region and neighboring areas.
The operation unfolded on Saturday night in Kalat district, prompted by reports of “terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Hindustan,” according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media arm of the Pakistani military. The term is often employed by the military to refer to separatist groups in Balochistan, including the Balochistan Liberation Army, which have targeted law enforcement and other personnel.
Pakistan has long accused India of supporting such militants in Balochistan and the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, an allegation that New Delhi has consistently rejected. “During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location and resultantly, four Indian-sponsored terrorists were sent to hell,” the military statement said. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants, who were said to have been involved in “numerous terrorist activities.”
The announcement came as Pakistan intensifies its counterterrorism efforts under the banner of “Azm e Istehkam,” a campaign endorsed by the federal apex committee on the National Action Plan. “A relentless counter-terrorism campaign … by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the statement added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for the successful operation in a separate statement from his office. “The fight against the monster of terrorism will continue until it is completely eradicated from the country,” Sharif said. “In our unwavering commitment to protect the homeland, the entire nation, including myself, stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Armed Forces.”
The clash in Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area and a repository of mineral wealth including gold and copper, underscores the persistent low-level insurgency there. Separatist groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army contend that the central government in Islamabad exploits the province’s resources while sidelining its people. Successive governments have disputed these claims, asserting that they have invested heavily in Balochistan’s development, including health, education and infrastructure initiatives.
In recent years, the Balochistan Liberation Army has posed a growing threat, orchestrating significant attacks in Balochistan and the southern province of Sindh. Its targets have included security forces, ethnic Punjabis and Chinese workers involved in development projects.
The Balochistan operation followed closely on the heels of similar actions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the military reported killing at least three militants in two separate engagements on Monday. One occurred in the Esham area of North Waziristan, where troops detected a group of militants attempting to cross from Afghanistan. “The troops effectively engaged the group of terrorists and killed them via a precise and skilful engagement,” the military’s media wing said. Another took place in Tank district.
Pakistan has faced a sharp increase in militant attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Taliban seized control in Afghanistan in 2021. Islamabad has repeatedly called on the Afghan Taliban government to curb terrorist groups operating from its territory, which have been blamed for numerous assaults on Pakistani forces and civilians.
The Taliban administration, however, has shown little response to these pleas, offering sanctuary to various militant factions. Rather than tackling cross-border terrorism, Afghan forces initiated unprovoked firing along the border on Oct. 12, escalating tensions.vLast week, following talks in Istanbul from Oct. 25 to 30, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to extend a ceasefire and establish a monitoring and verification mechanism to maintain border peace and hold violators accountable. The two sides are set to convene again in Istanbul on Nov. 6 to finalise the operational details of this joint framework.
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