Four terrorists killed, two explosives-laden vehicles destroyed in Khuzdar IBO: ISPR

Security forces on Thursday neutralised four terrorists and destroyed two explosives-laden vehicles during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district, the military’s media wing said.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation was conducted on the reported presence of terrorists belonging to the “Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan”.

Fitna al-Hindustan is the term used by the state for terrorists belonging to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other armed groups operating in the province.

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The ISPR said the security forces intercepted the movement of two explosives-laden vehicles along with the terrorists operating them.

“After swift and prompt action by security forces, both vehicles were successfully destroyed,” the statement said, adding that four attackers operating the vehicles were killed during the operation.

The military said sanitisation operations were continuing in the area “to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorist found in the area”.

Reaffirming its commitment to counterterrorism, the ISPR said the “relentless counterterrorism campaign under the vision ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ 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.”

President Asif Ali Zardari commended the security forces for their “timely success” in thwarting the terrorists’ plan, adding that it was a “manifestation of the security forces’ high professional capability”.

He said that operations should continue until the complete eradication of “terrorism being carried out in the country under foreign patronage”.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded the security forces for carrying out the operation, saying their timely action had foiled a major terrorist plot.

The prime minister praised the forces for killing four militants and destroying two explosives-laden vehicles during the operation.

“Every malicious attempt to spread terrorism in Pakistan will be thwarted,” he said.

He added that operations by the security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue with full force until terrorism was completely eradicated from the country.

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“The entire nation stands with its brave security forces and values their sacrifices for the peace, stability and security of the country,” the prime minister said.

Terrorism has increased significantly in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, in recent months. Although K-P has borne the brunt of the violence, Balochistan has also remained a major target of what the state describes as Indian proxies, which have often targeted civilians and military installations in the province.

In one such attack on the last day of last year, terrorists targeted civilians in Gwadar and Kharan districts, where 18 people, including women, children, the elderly and labourers, were martyred. Security forces and law enforcement agencies immediately responded and, according to the military, thwarted the “evil designs” of the terrorists, killing 92 militants. Fifteen security personnel were also martyred during the operation.

The forces continued operations across the provinces against what the state describes as Indian-sponsored terrorists and their proxies, but despite these efforts, the groups have continued to target civilian and defence installations.

Earlier this month, at least 30 people, including 27 police personnel, were martyred when terrorists identified by the state as the Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan ambushed police personnel deployed in the Kach Mangi Phase III area of Ziarat, triggering hours-long gun battles. The attackers also abducted several civilians and police personnel after the assault.

In the aftermath of the attack, the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan Police launched a joint operation, which remains underway, with forces intensifying action against terrorists across the province.