Terrorists were targeted using quadcopters, large quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered from those killed
Six terrorists were killed in an Intelligence-Based Operation (IBO) in the Sanni area of Kachhi district, Balochistan, state-run Radio Pakistan reported on Thursday, citing security sources.
The operation was carried out under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3 against Fitna al-Hindustan, according to the sources.
The federal government last year officially designated all terrorist groups operating in Balochistan as Fitna al-Hindustan, accusing India of sponsoring a proxy war through the outfits.
The terrorists were successfully targeted using quadcopters, while a large quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered from those killed, Radio Pakistan said. A clearance operation was underway in the area to eliminate any remaining terrorists.
Sources said that security forces remained committed to eliminating terrorism across the country under the Azm-e-Istehkam vision.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist activity over the past three months, with a series of attacks across the country resulting in the martyrdom of security personnel and civilians.
On September 28, security forces killed two terrorists belonging to the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in the Nokcha area of Balochistan. The sources said the two men had set an empty water bowser on fire before attempting to flee, prompting security forces to launch a chase that ended in an exchange of fire. They were also accused of involvement in arson attacks at different locations along the N-40 Quetta-Taftan highway.
The incident followed a major security operation along the N-40 highway on August 31, during which 11 terrorists were killed after armed men allegedly set up an illegal checkpoint in Chagai district to disrupt traffic and extort commuters.
On September 19, 23 people, including 15 police personnel, were martyred in a blast at a mosque in Kohat’s Police Lines during Friday prayers. Eight terrorists were also killed during a subsequent search and clearance operation. Later, the Ittihadul Mujahideen Pakistan (IMP), led by Afghanistan-based Hafiz Gul Bahadur, claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing and rampage involving multiple attackers.
Read: Nine policemen martyred, 28 injured in terror attack on police checkpost in K-P’s Hangu
In a separate incident, a captain and a lieutenant were among six security personnel martyred in an exchange of fire in Hangu district, while eight terrorists were killed.
On September 1, six personnel, including two officers, and a customs department official were martyred as security forces thwarted an attempt to breach the Customs House in Balochistan.
In July, at least 30 people, including 27 police personnel, were martyred when terrorists identified by the state as the Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan ambushed police personnel deployed in the Kach Mangi Phase III area of Ziarat, triggering hours-long gun battles. The attackers also abducted several civilians and police personnel after the assault.
In the aftermath of the attack, the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan Police launched a joint operation, which remains underway, with forces intensifying action against terrorists across the province.
