QUETTA: Pakistan’s security forces killed 133 terrorists, including three suicide bombers, during counterterrorism operations across 12 locations in Balochistan over the past two days, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday.
According to the military’s media wing, militants affiliated with India-backed Fitnatul Hindustan launched coordinated attacks on January 31 in an attempt to destabilize the province. The assaults targeted multiple districts, including Quetta, Mastung, Noshki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar, and Pasni.
ISPR stated that security forces responded swiftly and effectively, neutralizing the attackers and foiling their plans. However, the violence resulted in the martyrdom of 18 civilians, among them women, children, elderly individuals, and laborers. Additionally, 15 personnel of the security forces lost their lives during the operations.
The statement added that sanitization and clearance operations are ongoing to ensure the complete elimination of remaining militants in the affected areas. ISPR emphasized that those responsible including planners, facilitators, and handlers would be tracked down and brought to justice.
,Intelligence assessments confirmed that the attacks were planned and directed by terrorist leadership operating from outside Pakistan, maintaining direct contact with the militants during the incidents.
Earlier, on January 30, security forces killed 41 terrorists linked to Fitnatul Hindustan and Fitna al Khawarij during operations in Panjgur and Harnai.
Reaffirming its commitment, ISPR said Pakistan’s security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue their relentless counterterrorism drive under “Azm-e-Istehkam”, as approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.
