QUETTA: Security forces killed 12 militants during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Balochistan’s Kalat district, the military’s media wing said.
According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, the operation was conducted on Wednesday following reports of the presence of militants affiliated with what the state refers to as “Fitna al-Hindustan”.
ISPR said security forces identified and monitored the militants’ hideout before carrying out a targeted operation against it.
“All 12 Indian-sponsored terrorists” were killed during the operation, the statement claimed.
The military’s media wing said a cache of ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) was also destroyed at the site.
Sanitisation operations were continuing in the area to locate and eliminate any other militants, ISPR said.
It added that security forces and law-enforcement agencies would continue counterterrorism operations under the “Azm-i-Istehkam” initiative to counter what it described as foreign-sponsored terrorism.
The operation comes amid a recent increase in militant activity in Balochistan.
On the night of August 31 and September 1, militants affiliated with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) launched a coordinated attack on the Customs House at Ziarat Cross on the N-50 National Highway in Pishin district.
Security forces killed 10 militants during the exchange of fire, while six security personnel, including two officers, were killed, according to reports.
In a separate incident on August 31, security forces killed 11 militants affiliated with “Fitna al-Hindustan” after they allegedly blocked the N-40 Quetta-Taftan Highway by setting up an unauthorised checkpoint for extortion.
The militants were killed following an exchange of fire, according to security officials.
