QUETTA: Security forces have killed 13 terrorists during an ongoing clearance operation in the Shaban area of Quetta, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday.
According to the military’s media wing, intelligence reports had indicated the presence of several hideouts of what it described as Indian-sponsored Fitna Al Khawarij and Fitna Al Hindustan in the area.
The clearance operation was launched on September 21 to protect residents and eliminate the reported terrorist threat. Security forces subsequently targeted and cleared multiple hideouts during the operation.
ISPR said 13 terrorists were killed following intense exchanges of fire. A quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives was also recovered from the cleared locations.
The military said the operation would continue until the threat in the area was completely eliminated.
Separately, security forces carried out intelligence-based operations in Kech district and Quetta West on September 22 and 23.
During the operations, troops engaged the militants, killing six terrorists after heavy exchanges of fire. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the sites.
However, one soldier, Subedar Muhammad Jamil, 39, from Taunsa Sharif in Dera Ghazi Khan district, was killed during the exchange of fire and embraced martyrdom in the line of duty.
ISPR said security forces and law-enforcement agencies would continue counter-terrorism operations under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” framework approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan.
The military reiterated its commitment to combating what it described as foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism across the country.
