Pakistan says 11 militants killed in operations in Balochistan
By The South Asia Times
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's security forces have killed 11 militants in two intelligence-based operations in the southwestern province of Balochistan, the military said Wednesday, as authorities continue a nationwide campaign against militant groups.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing, said the operations were carried out on September 6 and 7 in Kharan and Washuk districts, targeting militants it described as members of an Indian-backed group it calls Fitna al Hindustan.
According to the statement, eight militants were killed on September 6 after security forces intercepted a group attempting to establish a roadblock in Kharan and disrupt local traffic.
In a separate operation in Washuk the following day, troops raided a suspected militant hideout following intelligence reports. Three militants were killed after an exchange of fire, while security forces recovered 2.9 tonnes of explosives, which the military said were intended for making improvised explosive devices.
Security forces have launched sanitisation operations in the areas to search for any remaining militants, the ISPR said.
The latest operations come amid continuing security challenges in Balochistan, a resource-rich province bordering Iran and Afghanistan that has experienced decades of militant violence and separatist insurgency.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused India of supporting militant groups operating inside the country, allegations New Delhi has rejected.
The military said its counterterrorism campaign under "Azm-e-Istehkam", approved by the federal government's National Action Plan apex committee, would continue "at full pace" to eliminate what it described as foreign-sponsored terrorism.
