Army says operations in Harnai and Basima targeted Indian-backed groups as ‘Ghazab Lil Haq’ enters ninth day
Pakistani security forces killed at least 15 terrorists linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) during two separate intelligence operations in Balochistan on Thursday, March 5, 2025, the Army said on Saturday.
In a statement, the army’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said an intelligence-based operation (IBO) was carried out in Harnai district following reports of the presence of ‘Khwarij ex Fitna al Khwarij’.
During the operation, the troops actually engaged the Khwarij hideout and after an intense exchange of fire, “twelve Indian-sponsored Khwarij were sent to hell”, the statement said.
Pakistani authorities use the term “Fitna al Khwarij” for TTP terrorists and “Fitna al Hindustan” for BLA terrorists.
Another intelligence operation was carried out in Basima district. During the operation, security forces spotted the presence of terrorists belonging to “Fitna al Hindustan” and fought them using mixed caliber weapons.
“After an intense firefight, three Indian-sponsored terrorists were sent to hell,” the ISPR said.
Arms, ammunition and explosives were recovered from the Khwarij and the slain terrorists, who the Army said had been actively involved in many terrorist activities.
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Disinfection operations are continuing to eliminate all other Indian-sponsored terrorists in the region, the statement added.
The Army said “the relentless anti-terrorism campaign carried out under the ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ vision (as approved by the Supreme Federal Committee on National Action Plan) 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.”
Meanwhile, Operation ‘Ghazab Lil Haq’ entered its ninth consecutive day on Saturday, with security forces continuing their ground and air operations against the Afghan Taliban and ‘Fitna al Khwarij’.
Sources said the army continues to carry out effective ground and air actions, adding that the military strategy has inflicted heavy losses on the Afghan Taliban and forced them to retreat during the ongoing campaign.
On Friday, security sources said 527 members of the Afghan Taliban regime had been killed since the start of the operation, while more than 755 others had been injured. They added that 237 checkpoints were also destroyed during the campaign.
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President Asif Ali Zardari has paid tribute to security forces for their successful operations against terrorists in Balochistan. He said the killing of 15 Indian-sponsored terrorists during intelligence operations in Harnai and Basima reflected the professionalism and determination of the security forces.
“Eliminating foreign-sponsored terrorism remains our top priority,” the president said.
He added that the entire nation stood with the security forces in their unwavering determination to defend the homeland.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised security forces for killing 15 terrorists in Balochistan.
The Prime Minister said that security forces were achieving major successes in the fight against terrorism under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam. He said the entire nation stood with the armed forces in the war against terrorism.
“We are determined to completely eradicate terrorism from the country,” the Prime Minister said.
