Soldier martyred as security forces kill 15 terrorists in Balochistan: ISPR

Security forces in Balochistan have killed 15 militants during an intelligence-based operation in the Zhob district on Monday, the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), reported.

According to ISPR, the operation took place in the area of Sambaza in Zhob, where the security forces targeted the militants' position. During the exchange of fire, the 15 militants, referred to as 'Khawarij', were killed.

The statement detailed that a significant quantity of weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from the militants' possession.

The spokesperson also confirmed that one soldier, Sepoy Arif Rehman (32), from the district of Mansehra, laid down his life in the line of duty as he was martyred while fighting bravely during the heavy gunfire exchange.

Following the operation, security forces launched a sanitisation effort in the area to neutralise any remaining militants.

While affirming Pakistan's security forces commitment to eradicate terrorism from the country, the ISPR statement reiterated the resolve of the brave soldiers' whose sacrifices strengthen the force's determination.

It has been a while since the country has been battling the menace of terrorism, with at least 245 people, including 68 security personnel, killed in a series of terrorist attacks and clashes across Pakistan in the month of November alone.

There has been a significant increase in attacks targeting security forces, law enforcement agencies, and security checkpoints, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

These attacks have escalated since the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) broke a fragile ceasefire with the government in 2022 and pledged to target security forces.

In response, the government officially designated the banned TTP as Fitna al Khawarij in July, mandating all institutions to refer to the perpetrators of terrorist attacks as khariji (outcasts).