12 terrorists killed as security forces foil multi-pronged attack in Balochistan's Kharan: ISPR

CM Bugti warns extremists shifting to organised crime, vows full-scale response through intelligence-based operations

Security forces killed 12 terrorists and thwarted a multi-pronged attack in Balochistan's Kharan district, the military's media wing said on Friday.

A press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said approximately 15 to 20 "Indian sponsored terrorists of Fitna al-Hindustan" carried out multiple attacks in Kharan district on Thursday, targeting the Kharan City Police Station, the National Bank of Pakistan, and Habib Bank Limited.

The federal government had designated all terrorist groups operating in Balochistan as Fitna al Hindustan in June 2025.

"During the activity, Rs3.4 million were looted from the banks by terrorists. Security Forces effectively responded and engaged the terrorists, prompting them to retreat. During the ensuing clearance operation, 12 terrorists were sent to hell in three different engagements. Terrorists' design to create a hostage situation at the police station was also effectively thwarted," the ISPR said.

It added that a sanitisation operation was underway in the area to eliminate any other "Indian sponsored terrorists", adding that a relentless counter-terrorism campaign would continue at a full pace to "wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism" from the country.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti lauded the Frontier Corps for their swift action in a press conference in Quetta, confirming that one civilian was wounded during the operation and was being treated at the Combined Military Hospital. He said security forces killed four terrorists immediately across three locations, while the remaining attackers were eliminated in subsequent encounters.

Bugti remarked that such incidents indicated a worrying trend, with extremist elements increasingly moving from ideological activities to organised criminal acts, including bank robberies.

He emphasised that “whenever they come on the streets they will be beaten, and whenever they try to hide in their holes we will chase and defeat them through Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs).”

The chief minister described this as the "response mechanism", now fully operational based on intelligence shared by local communities.

CM Bugti also raised concerns about digital infrastructure in remote areas. He questioned the installation of mobile internet towers in sparsely populated regions, such as Sangan, warning that unchecked 4G networks could create security vulnerabilities. He called for clarification on who authorised these installations and cautioned that such facilities could be exploited by hostile elements to target law enforcement agencies and undermine state security.

He also announced a major provincial initiative worth Rs3 billion to expand fibre optic connectivity across Balochistan, adding that the project aimed to link schools, colleges, universities, and hospitals through fibre optic cables, ensuring broader internet access while maintaining oversight to prevent misuse.

CM Bugti also highlighted the broader regional context, linking the recent rise in security challenges to developments following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021. Citing official figures from military authorities, he noted that law enforcement agencies conducted over 75,000 intelligence-based operations across Pakistan in 2025, resulting in the killing of more than 2,500 terrorists.