ISPR says fighters linked to Fitna al Hindustan as fight against terrorism continues
Pakistani security forces killed eight militants during an intelligence operation in Kalat district of Balochistan on December 24, the army said on Thursday.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the militants were linked to Fitna al Hindustan, a group that Pakistan describes as an Indian proxy operating in the province.
The state has designated several Balochistan-based militant groups as Fitna al Hindustan to highlight what it sees as India’s role in terrorism and destabilization in Pakistan.
The ISPR said the operation involved heavy exchange of fire after security forces identified the location of the militants. All eight were killed during the engagement.
Weapons, ammunition and explosives were recovered from the scene. The militants were reportedly involved in multiple attacks in the area.
Disinfection operations continue to ensure that no other activists remain nearby, the statement said.
The army said the anti-terrorism campaign would continue in full swing under ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’, a federal initiative approved by the Supreme Federal Committee of the National Action Plan, aimed at eliminating foreign-sponsored terrorism.
Read: 12 India-backed terrorists killed in Kalat IBO: ISPR
The latest operation follows a similar raid in Kalat on December 6, when security forces killed 12 militants in an intelligence-driven operation, according to the ISPR. Weapons and explosives were also recovered during this operation.
Kalat lies in central Balochistan, along the mountain belt south of Quetta. It intersects key regional roads, including the N-25 highway linking Quetta to Karachi and Gwadar.
The district is approximately 140 to 160 kilometers south of Quetta by road and is located at an altitude of approximately 2,000 meters above sea level.
Its mountainous and semi-arid terrain, marked by narrow valleys and plateaus, has long complicated security operations and restricted road access.
The rugged, sparsely populated landscape has historically provided hiding places for militant groups and enabled travel corridors in the region.
Learn more: Forces kill four terrorists in Kalat IBO
Security forces have carried out several intelligence-led operations in Kalat and neighboring districts this year, amid a persistent militant threat.
In early 2025, operations intensified in central Balochistan, particularly in Khuzdar and Awaran districts, following an increase in attacks targeting infrastructure and security patrols.
Officials say several operations during the first quarter of the year led to arrests and recoveries of weapons linked to banned groups.
Pakistan ranks second in the 2025 Global Terrorism Index, with deaths from terrorist attacks up 45% from the previous year.
In October, the Islamabad-based Center for Security Research and Studies said violence increased in the third quarter of 2025 due to an increase in militant attacks and intensified counterterrorism operations.
