Six terrorists killed in separate K-P, Balochistan operations: state media

Security forces killed six terrorists in two separate operations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, state media reported on Monday, citing security sources.

According to the sources, four terrorists belonging to the Indian-backed proxy group “Fitna al-Khawarij” were killed during an intelligence-based operation in K-P’s Dera Ismail Khan district.

The sources said security forces closely monitored the terrorists’ movements before targeting them during the operation, while a large cache of weapons and ammunition, along with Afghan currency, was also recovered.

The operation was carried out under the government’s Azm-e-Istehkam counterterrorism framework.

Security officials said counterterrorism operations would continue as part of efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and establish lasting peace in the country.

In a separate operation in Balochistan’s Nokcha area, security forces killed two terrorists belonging to the banned Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) during a chase after an empty water bowser was set on fire, according to security sources.

The sources said the two men torched the vehicle before attempting to flee. Security forces launched an immediate chase, and both were killed during an ensuing exchange of fire.

The sources identified the two men as BLA members and said they had previously been involved in arson attacks at different locations along the N-40 Quetta-Taftan highway.

The incident came less than a month after a major security operation along the N-40 highway on August 31.

Read More: 49 terrorists killed in Balochistan, K-P IBOs

Security sources said at the time that 11 terrorists were killed after armed men set up what they described as an illegal checkpoint on the N-40 Quetta-Taftan highway in Chagai district in an attempt to disrupt traffic and extort commuters.

The sources said investigators were examining possible links between previous incidents along the N-40 highway and the latest case, particularly attacks involving the torching of vehicles.

Security has been tightened in Nokcha following the latest incident. Security sources said operations against sabotage and terrorist activity were continuing in the area, while investigations were also underway into the latest incident and the alleged involvement of those killed in similar attacks.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces for the successful operation against terrorists in Dera Ismail Khan.

“The security forces have foiled the nefarious designs of Indian-sponsored terrorists. Under the Azm-e-Istehkam vision, indiscriminate operations against terrorists in K-P are continuing and will continue,” he added.

Naqvi said that the entire nation stood with the security forces in the fight to eliminate the menace of terrorism.

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist activity over the past three months, with a series of attacks across the country resulting in the martyrdom of security personnel and civilians.

Last week, 12 people were killed and 35 others injured when a blast struck a joint checkpoint near Aman Mela in the Darazinda area of Dera Ismail Khan, with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claiming responsibility for the attack.

On September 19, 23 people, including 15 police personnel, were martyred in a blast at a mosque in Kohat’s Police Lines during Friday prayers. Eight terrorists were also killed during a subsequent search and clearance operation. Later, the Ittihadul Mujahideen Pakistan (IMP), led by Afghanistan-based Hafiz Gul Bahadur, claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing and rampage involving multiple attackers.

Also Read: Nine policemen martyred, 28 injured in terror attack on police checkpost in K-P's Hangu

In a separate incident, a captain and a lieutenant were among six security personnel martyred in an exchange of fire in Hangu district, while eight terrorists were killed.

On September 1, six personnel, including two officers, and a customs department official were martyred as security forces thwarted an attempt to breach the Customs House in Balochistan.

In July, at least 30 people, including 27 police personnel, were martyred when terrorists identified by the state as the Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan ambushed police personnel deployed in the Kach Mangi Phase III area of Ziarat, triggering hours-long gun battles. The attackers also abducted several civilians and police personnel after the assault.

In the aftermath of the attack, the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan Police launched a joint operation, which remains underway, with forces intensifying action against terrorists across the province.