Ten terrorists killed during IBO in Balochistan’s Zhob: ISPR

ISLAMABAD:

Security forces killed ten terrorists belonging to the Indian-backed proxy group Fitna al Khawarij during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Zhob district of Balochistan, the military’s media wing said in a statement.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), following an intelligence-based operation in Zhob on February 24, in which eight Indian-sponsored khawarij were successfully neutralised, security forces conducted a comprehensive sanitisation operation in the area on February 25 to hunt down remaining members linked to the Indian proxy group Fitna al Khawarij.

“During the operation, our forces tracked down the khawarij on multiple routes and effectively engaged their locations. After an ensuing firefight, ten Indian-sponsored khawarij were eliminated,” the military said.

The ISPR further stated that weapons, ammunition, and explosives were also recovered from the khawarij, who had been actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area. It added that sanitisation operations are ongoing to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists found in the region.

“Relentless counter-terrorism campaigns under the vision ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ (as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan) by the security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the efforts of security forces for their successful operation against terrorists of Fitna al Khwarij in Zhob district.

“The operation, which led to the killing of ten Fitna al Khwarij terrorists, is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our security forces,” PM Shehbaz said in a statement.

The prime minister highlighted the significant achievements of the security forces under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” initiative, which continues to deliver major victories in the fight against terrorism.

He also reaffirmed the nation’s unity, stating, “The entire nation stands with our armed forces in this war against terrorism.”

PM Shehbaz reiterated the government’s commitment to the complete elimination of all forms of terrorism from Pakistan.

Terrorism has significantly increased in Pakistan, particularly in K-P and Balochistan, in recent days. The rise in terrorist activity has led to growing concerns over the security situation in these regions.

In response, security forces have been conducting intensive operations to counter the threat, targeting terrorist groups infiltrating from the Afghan border.

A day earlier, security forces killed 34 terrorists belonging to the banned Fitna Al Khwarij and Fitna Al Hindustan groups in separate IBOs in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan.

The federal government has been consistently raising its voice on international forums against terrorist sanctuaries operating in Afghanistan and using its soil to launch attacks on Pakistan — a development attested to by the United Nations Security Council.

On Wednesday, two policemen were martyred, and several others were injured after a suicide attack targeted an inter-provincial checkpost in the Dajal area of Punjab’s Bhakkar.

In a separate incident, five policemen, including a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), were martyred and four others injured when terrorists attacked a police van in the Lachi area of K-P’s Kohat. Two detainees were also killed in the incident.

The attack took place when a police team led by DSP Lachi Asad Mahmood Khan was transporting detainees for investigation. Unidentified armed men opened sudden and indiscriminate fire on the vehicle.

Last week, 12 Indian proxy terrorists were killed, while 11 security personnel were martyred, as the security forces foiled a terrorist attack on a check post in Bajaur.

In another operation, security forces also foiled a major terrorist plot in Balochistan’s Pishin district, killing five terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij during a targeted IBO.