At least 18 terrorists affiliated with Fitna Al Hindustan were killed in two incidents in Balochistan on Wednesday, including eight who died when a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) detonated prematurely while being prepared in Surab district, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Eight terrorists were killed in the initial explosion, while several others were injured, the military’s media wing said.
The blast also triggered a secondary detonation involving other explosives stored at the site, killing three nearby civilians.
Security forces and Balochistan Police reached the site and launched a joint clearance operation to track down the terrorists involved and their facilitators.
During the operation, security forces detected terrorists attempting to flee and engaged them, killing 10 more, ISPR said.
The latest operation brought the total number of terrorists killed in the incidents to 18.
Two soldiers were also injured during the exchange of fire, according to the statement.
Sanitisation operations were continuing in the area to locate and eliminate any remaining terrorists, ISPR said.
The military’s media wing has said that the counter-terrorism campaign was being conducted under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan.
It stated that security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue the campaign at full pace against what it described as foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism.
The incident came a day after security forces killed five terrorists affiliated with Fitna Al Hindustan during a high-tempo intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Panjgur district, according to ISPR.
