Security forces kill 12 terrorists in Balochistan's Mastung, Washuk IBOs: ISPR

Security forces conducted two intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Balochistan’s Washuk and Mastung districts, killing 12 terrorists in total, the military’s media wing said on Thursday.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the “high-tempo” operations were carried out as part of the ‘Radul Fitna’ counterterrorism campaign against Fitna-al-Hindustan in Balochistan.

Balochistan-based terrorist groups have been designated as Fitna-al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.

The ISPR said that on August 5, “[The] movement of six terrorists was picked up by the security forces in Washuk District of Balochistan. Own troops effectively engaged these terrorists. As a result of precise and skilful engagement, all six terrorists belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna-al-Hindustan were sent to hell.”

The military’s media wing further said that during an operation in the Mastung district earlier today, six terrorists were “sent to hell after the intense fire exchange between armed forces and the terrorists”, while a terrorist hideout was also destroyed.

“Under vision ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ (as approved by [the] Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan), 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,” the statement concludes.

Last Wednesday, eight terrorists belonging to Fitna-al-Hindustan were killed after an “intense engagement” in Balochistan’s Nushki district during multiple intelligence-based operations, the ISPR said.

“Weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices used by terrorists were also recovered and destroyed during the operations,” it added.

In July, security forces and law enforcement personnel jointly launched Operation Shaban in Balochistan in retaliation for a deadly attack on a police post at the Mangi Dam pumping station in Ziarat on July 6. During that assault, armed attackers kidnapped and killed 27 police officers.

Later, security forces also launched Operation Al-Azm in the province after a shooting on a Karachi-bound coach coming from Quetta claimed three lives and injured five others last week.

A monthly security assessment released in early June by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) said that after two consecutive months of improvement, Pakistan’s security situation deteriorated sharply in May, driven primarily by escalating terrorist violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

The report said Balochistan emerged as the most affected province during the month. The province recorded 71 terrorist attacks, compared with 34 in April, representing a 109pc increase.

The deteriorating security situation was further reflected in a surge in kidnappings, it said. Of the 54 abductions reported nationwide during May, 52 occurred in Balochistan alone, highlighting the growing operational reach and confidence of terrorist groups in the province, it said.