17 militants killed in security operations in Balochistan, Pakistani soldier martyred
By The South Asia Times
ISLAMABAD - Pakistani security forces killed 17 militants in two intelligence-led operations in the southwestern province of Balochistan, while a soldier was martyred during a firefight, the military said on Tuesday.
The operations were conducted on Nov. 1 in Kachhi and Kharan districts, targeting militants allegedly linked to groups the military identifies as Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij.
In the first operation, security forces killed 10 militants in the Sanni area of Kachhi district after thwarting an attempt to establish a roadblock in the city, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the site.
In a separate operation in Kharan district, security forces raided a militant hideout and killed seven militants following an intense exchange of fire.
During the firefight, Sepoy Hikmat Ullah, 25, from Karak district in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, was martyred, the statement said.
Security forces were conducting follow-up operations to locate and eliminate any remaining militants in the area.
The military said counterterrorism operations would continue under the national security strategy known as “Azm-e-Istehkam,” aimed at eliminating foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism across Pakistan.
