Pakistan: Eight militants killed in intelligence operations in Balochistan

Eight suspected militants have been killed in two separate intelligence-based operations in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, the military says.

According to Dawn, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the armed forces, said the operations took place on 25 and 26 June in the Kharan and Mastung districts.

According to ISPR, security forces first tracked the movement of a group of militants in Kharan district on 25 June.

“As a result of precise and skillful engagement, three terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Hindustan were sent to hell while several were injured,” it said.

A second operation was carried out in Mastung district on 26 June, which the military described as intelligence-based and pre-emptive, targeting the “possible presence of a suicide bomber”.

ISPR said five militants, including a suspected suicide bomber, were killed after an exchange of fire.

“Weapons, ammunition, improvised explosive devices and motorbikes used by these terrorists were also recovered,” it said.

The military added that follow-up “sanitisation operations” were continuing in the area to clear any remaining threat.

Pakistan’s leadership praised the operations, with President Asif Ali Zardari saying that “Operations should continue until the complete eradication of foreign-sponsored terrorism in the country,”.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised the security forces, saying: “Our struggle will continue until the complete eradication of all forms of terrorism from Pakistan,”.

He added: “The enemies of Pakistan’s peace will be given a crushing defeat on every front,”.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also commended the military, saying: “The security forces have foiled the evil intentions of terrorists by taking timely actions,”.

Authorities say counter-terrorism operations in Balochistan have intensified in recent months amid a surge in militant activity in the province.