- ISPR says IBO was conducted in Quetta, Kech districts.
- Adds an operational part of the Azm-e-Istehkam campaign.
- The President and the Prime Minister pay tribute to the security forces.
At least eighteen Indian-backed terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan were killed in two separate operations in Balochistan, army media said on Thursday.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement said that an intelligence-based operation (IBO) was carried out in the general area of Chiltan Mountains, Quetta district, over the reported presence of terrorists.
“During the operation, our own troops actually attacked the position of the terrorists and after an intense exchange of fire, fourteen Indian-sponsored terrorists were sent to hell,” the statement added.
In another IBO conducted in the general area of Buleda, Kech district, a terrorist hideout was busted and four terrorists were successfully neutralized, the ISPR said.
Arms, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from slain terrorists, who remained actively involved in many terrorist activities.
The army said disinfection operations were underway to eliminate any further Indian-sponsored terrorists found in the area.
He further said that the incessant anti-terrorism campaign under the vision of ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ carried out by the security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue in full swing to eliminate the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid rich tribute to security forces for eliminating 18 terrorists from Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan in Balochistan, reaffirming Pakistan’s firm resolve under Azm-e-Istehkam to eradicate all foreign-sponsored terrorism.
Pakistan has been grappling with an increase in terrorist incidents, particularly in KP and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban regime took power in 2021.
The government has repeatedly urged the Taliban regime to rein in terrorist groups responsible for countless attacks in Pakistan.
However, the Taliban regime has remained largely indifferent to Pakistan’s demands and has provided sanctuary to multiple terrorist groups targeting security forces and civilians.
Instead of addressing Pakistan’s concerns about cross-border terrorism, the Taliban regime resorted to unprovoked firing along the border on October 12.
Pakistani armed forces responded quickly, killing more than 200 Taliban fighters and affiliated militants; however, as many as 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred in the border clashes.
Security forces also carried out strikes in Afghanistan, including in Kabul, destroying terrorist hideouts in the country.
Hostilities between the forces of the two countries ceased after Pakistan accepted the Taliban regime’s request for a temporary ceasefire on October 17.
Delegations from the two countries then met for Qatar-mediated talks in Doha, where they agreed to a ceasefire agreement.
Turkey then hosted the second round of negotiations in Istanbul, which began on October 25.
However, the talks failed to conclude after four days due to what Pakistani authorities called “illogical” arguments by the Taliban delegation, which they said were “detached from ground realities.”
