11 terrorists neutralised in Balochistan
Security forces pictured during a patrol. — FILE PHOTO
Security forces killed 11 Indian-sponsored terrorists during intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Balochistan's Kharan and Washuk districts on September 6 and 7, the military's media wing said on Wednesday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were conducted following reports of the presence of terrorists belonging to the "Indian proxy, Fitna al Hindustan".
The federal government last year officially designated all terrorist groups operating in Balochistan as 'Fitna al-Hindustan', accusing India of sponsoring a proxy war through these outfits.
On September 6, terrorists attempted to establish a roadblock in Kharan and disrupt local traffic. Security forces "promptly intercepted and engaged" the terrorists, killing eight of them, ISPR said.
In a separate engagement on September 7, security forces conducted a "deliberately planned intelligence-based operation" in Washuk district following reports of the presence of terrorists, the statement added.
ISPR said, "During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively busted terrorists hideout and after an intense fire exchange, three terrorists were sent to hell."
Security forces also recovered 2.9 tonnes of explosives during the operation, which, according to ISPR, were being used to prepare improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
"Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored terrorist found in the area," the military's media wing said.
"Relentless counter terrorism campaign under vision "Azm e Istehkam" (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country," the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the security forces for conducting successful operation against the Indian sponsored terrorists in Balochistan's districts of Kharan and Washuk.
In separate statements, the president and the prime minister commended the security forces for killing 11 terrorists during a timely and effective operation.
They expressed the resolve that the nefarious designs of terrorist elements operating with Indian patronage would be thwarted at all costs.
President Asif Zardari lauded the security forces for recovering 2.9 tonnes of explosives during an operation against terrorists in Washuk.
He said that operations against Fitna al-Hindustan would continue until the complete elimination of terrorist networks.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces for foiling the attempt to block a road and disrupt traffic in Kharan and praised the professional capabilities of the forces for destroying a terrorist hideout in Washuk and recovering 2.9 tonnes of explosives.
He said that operations against Fitna al-Khawarij and other terrorist elements would continue with full force.