Pakistan security forces kill nine militants in operations in Balochistan, military says
By Mashal Khan
ISLAMABAD - Pakistani security forces have killed nine militants in two intelligence-based operations in the southwestern province of Balochistan, the military said on Wednesday, accusing the individuals of being sponsored by India.
The operations were conducted on October 26 in Kachhi and Wadh districts, targeting what the military described as hideouts and movements of militants belonging to an organisation it calls “Fitna al-Hindustan.”
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing, said seven militants were killed during an operation in Kachhi district following an intense exchange of fire.
Security forces raided a suspected militant hideout during the operation and recovered weapons and ammunition, the statement said.
In a separate operation in Wadh district, security personnel tracked and intercepted the movement of suspected militants. Two were killed in a subsequent exchange of fire, while weapons and ammunition were also recovered, according to the military.
The ISPR described the individuals killed in both operations as Indian-sponsored militants.
The military said clearance and search operations were underway in the affected areas to locate any other suspected militants.
The operations form part of Pakistan's broader counterterrorism campaign, known as “Azm-e-Istehkam,” which the military said was approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan.
The ISPR said security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue operations to eliminate what it described as foreign-sponsored terrorism in the country.
Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province by area, has experienced a long-running insurgency involving militant groups that target security personnel, government installations and infrastructure and civilians.
The province also borders Iran and Afghanistan and is strategically important because of its mineral resources, trade routes and infrastructure projects.
Pakistani authorities have repeatedly accused India of supporting militant violence in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, allegations New Delhi has denied.
