Balochistan Operations Security forces say more than 71 militants killed in 96 hours

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said security forces had been conducting operations against groups it described as Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan.

In Shaban, security forces launched an operation after intelligence agencies identified militant hideouts in the area, according to the ISPR. The military said 33 militants had been killed and several hideouts cleared during the operation.

Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered, the ISPR said.

The military said the operation was intensified over the following 72 hours, during which another 23 militants were killed. It said security forces had also cleared a large area and were continuing search and clearance operations.

The ISPR said separate operations were conducted in Nushki and Mand, where more weapons and ammunition were recovered. According to the military, the operations had reduced the threat to local communities from the groups it identified as Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan.

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The ISPR described the operations as a major setback for what it called Indian-backed Afghan proxies. It said the counter-terrorism campaign under the government’s Azm-e-Istehkam initiative would continue.

President Asif Ali Zardari also praised the security forces for the operations. In a statement, he commended them for what he described as the elimination of more than 71 militants in Operation Shaban and other operations across Balochistan.

President Zardari described the clearance of militant hideouts as a significant achievement and said operations would continue until terrorism backed by foreign support was eliminated.

He also praised the sacrifices of security personnel involved in counter-terrorism operations.

The figures and descriptions of the militants killed were provided by the ISPR and have not been independently verified.