An army major was martyred and four terrorists were killed during intelligence-based operations in Balochistan, the military’s media wing said on Monday.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that security forces conducted a series of operations in areas of Shadi Kaur and Pasni in Gwadar, and Jattakabad in Kalat district, on the reported presence of multiple hideouts of Fitna al Hindustan.
The state has designated Balochistan-based groups as Fitna al Hindustan to highlight India’s role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.
In the first operation on October 18, security forces conducted an IBO in the general area of Jattakabad, during which four terrorists were eliminated.
“A large cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered,” it added.
In the second incident, ISPR added that security forces conducted a series of clearance operations in the general area of Shadi Kaur, Pasni, in Gwadar.
It added that during one of the operations, the lead force component, led by 34-year-old Major Wajahat Waheed, a resident of Lahore, was martyred in an improvised explosive device attack.
“Sanitisation operations will continue to eliminate any other terrorists found in the area. The relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam”, as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, will continue at full pace.
“Security forces and law enforcement agencies remain committed to eliminating the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” ISPR added.
Intensified operations
Balochistan has witnessed an increase in terrorist activities in recent years, prompting security forces to intensify counterterrorism operations.
A day earlier, security forces killed eight “India-sponsored” terrorists during IBO conducted in the Quetta, Nushki and Khuzdar districts of Balochistan.
On the night of Oct 12/13, security forces busted a terrorist hideout and killed five terrorists during an IBO in Washuk, ISPR said.
Days later, Balochistan government officials said that six terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), two would-be female suicide bombers, and two commanders of a banned organisation had been arrested during IBOs across the province.
They said around 90 arrested terrorists were being held at a centre where investigations and legal proceedings were under way.
Earlier this month, five terrorists were eliminated in Balochistan’s Mastung district, state media reported.
The number of terrorist attacks in the province increased by seven per cent from 83 in July to 89 in August, according to data compiled by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS). As per the report, Balochistan was declared the province “most affected” by terrorism.