Security forces have killed 32 terrorists during counter-terrorism operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan over the past 24 hours, the military’s media wing stated on Wednesday.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) noted that “comprehensive joint operations” were conducted in multiple areas across both provinces to disrupt the “terrorists nexus of India-sponsored Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan”.
State authorities use the designation Fitna-al-Khawarij to refer to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while classifying Balochistan-based militant outfits as Fitna-al-Hindustan to underline external backing.
The military wing mentioned that the raids aimed to eliminate militant networks and their local supporters.
In KP’s Khyber district, security personnel conducted “intelligence-based area sanitisation and targeted operations” on July 28 and 29, resulting in the deaths of 24 militants linked to Fitna-al-Khawarij.
In Balochistan’s Nushki district, forces killed eight militants associated with Fitna-al-Hindustan following an “intense engagement” during targeted raids.
“Weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices used by terrorists were also recovered and destroyed during the operations,” the ISPR stated.
“Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other India-sponsored terrorist found in the area. Relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by 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 added.
The recent actions follow heightened security measures across both provinces.
Earlier this month, security agencies launched Operation Shaban in Balochistan in response to a July 6 attack on a police post near the Mangi Dam pumping station in Ziarat, where assailants abducted and killed 27 police officers.
Authorities also initiated Operation Al-Azm in Balochistan after gunmen fired on a passenger coach travelling from Quetta to Karachi last week, leaving three dead and five injured.
In KP, militants tried to breach a joint police checkpost in Tank on July 24, which ISPR reported was “swiftly and decisively foiled” as security personnel eliminated 12 attackers.
