QUETTA: Security forces and the counterterrorism department (CTD) of police conducted separate operations in Quetta, Sherani, Kech districts and gunned down at least 21 terrorists.
The security forces also arrested four terrorists disguised in women’s clothing in Khuzdar on Wednesday, according to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
According to CTD officials, an operation was conducted in the Aghbarg area on the outskirts of Quetta after a tip-off about the presence of terrorists.
A CTD team cordoned off the locality, prompting armed militants to open fire. Security personnel retaliated, and an intense exchange of fire ensued for over an hour, during which automatic weapons were used.
“As a result of the gun battle, 10 terrorists were killed on the spot,” a CTD spokesman said, adding that two personnel sustained injuries and were shifted to hospital. Large quantities of arms, ammunition, explosives, and other equipment were seized from the site. The slain terrorists, however, remain unidentified. Further investigation is underway.
In a separate operation in Sherani district, eight terrorists were killed when security forces struck a suspected camp of the outlawed Fitna al Khwarij in the rugged Mughal Kot area. Officials confirmed that a cache of sophisticated weapons, ammunition, and equipment was recovered.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that 13 terrorists belonging to Fitna al Khwarij and Fitna al Hindustan the state’s terms for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch separatist outfits, respectively – were killed in Quetta and Kech on Sept 30 and Oct 1.
During the Quetta operation, security forces engaged a militant hideout, resulting in the deaths of 10 “Indian-sponsored Khwarij.” Another IBO in Kech district neutralised three terrorists affiliated with Fitna al Hindustan. Weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered from both sites.
Four arrested
According to ISPR, security forces carried out an intelligence-based operation in the Khuzdar District of Balochistan after reports of the presence of militants linked to the Indian proxy group, “Fitna al Hindustan.”
During the raid, four terrorists attempting to escape while disguised in women’s clothing were captured. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered.
The arrested men were involved in several acts of terrorism in the area. A clearance operation is continuing to trace any other militants in the surroundings.
Security forces reaffirmed their determination to eliminate Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country and to bring all those responsible for such acts to justice.
