Prime Minister, President congratulate security forces and assure nation stands firmly with armed forces
At least 41 terrorists were killed in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Balochistan on Thursday, the army’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said on Friday.
An IBO was conducted on the outskirts of Harnai district based on reports of the presence of “Indian-sponsored Khawarij” in the surrounding area. According to the ISPR statement, an intense exchange of fire ensued between the security forces and the terrorists, leaving 30 of the latter dead. A large cache of ammunition and explosives was seized from the site and destroyed, the ISPR added.
Meanwhile, security forces also raided a terrorist hideout in Panjgur district, during which 11 terrorists affiliated with ‘Fitna-e-Hindustan’ were killed. Arms, ammunition and cash looted during a bank robbery in Panjgur on December 15 were also recovered, the ISPR said, adding that the terrorists were also involved in multiple attacks in the past.
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Search operations are underway to apprehend the terrorists remaining in the area. The ISPR said that counter-terrorism efforts under the ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ initiative, approved by the Supreme Federal Committee on National Action Plan, continue to be carried out by security forces and law enforcement agencies.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday congratulated Pakistani security forces for their successful operations in Harnai and Panjgur. “Under the vision of Azm-e-Istihkam, our security forces continue to achieve significant successes against terrorism,” he said. “The entire nation stands with the armed forces in this ongoing fight against terrorism. »
President Asif Ali Zardari also praised security forces for their operations against terrorists in Balochistan and Bannu. “Effective action against groups such as Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan reflects the unwavering resolve of the state,” the president said in a statement issued by the media wing of the presidency.
Terrorist activities and PCI
On January 25, security forces killed three terrorists during an intelligence operation in Panjgur district of Balochistan, the army said. Arms, ammunition and explosives were recovered from the site, adding that the terrorists were involved in multiple attacks in the area. Security forces are continuing their search and clearance operations in the area to ensure no other terrorists remain, the statement said.
Earlier this month, ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry presented a comprehensive review of terrorist activity in 2025, describing the year as historic and results-oriented in Pakistan’s counter-terrorism campaign.
Over the past year, he said, an extraordinary number of IBOs have taken place across the country, reflecting both the scale of the threat and the state’s determination to confront it. “In 2025, complete harmony has been achieved between the State of Pakistan and its people on the issue of terrorism.”
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Providing statistics, Lt. Gen. Sharif said that in 2025, law enforcement agencies conducted 75,175 PCIs across the country, an average of 206 operations per day. Of these, he added, 14,658 operations were carried out in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 58,778 in Balochistan and 1,739 in other parts of the country.
Despite these operations, Pakistan witnessed 5,397 terrorist incidents during the year. KP accounted for the highest number, with 3,811 incidents, followed by Balochistan with 1,557 incidents. Only 29 incidents were reported in the rest of the country. A total of 2,597 terrorists were killed during the year, Lt. Gen. Sharif said.
Security forces killed three terrorists during an intelligence operation in Balochistan’s Panjgur district, the Army said. Arms, ammunition and explosives were recovered from the site, adding that the terrorists were involved in multiple attacks in the area. Security forces are continuing their search and clearance operations in the area to ensure no other terrorists remain, the statement said.
