ISLAMABAD: Eighteen terrorists on Wednesday were killed in incidents following the premature detonation of an under-preparation vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) in Surab district of the south-western province of Balochistan, the military media wing said.
“On the morning of 12 August 2026, an under-preparation Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) detonated while being prepared by terrorists affiliated with Fitna Al Hindustan in the Surab District of Balochistan,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
Pakistan uses the term “Fitna al-Hindustan” to refer to the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which it describes as an India-backed terrorist group.
The premature detonation resulted in the confirmed killing of eight terrorists, while multiple others were injured, the statement said.
The ISPR said that the blast and secondary detonation of other explosives stored at the site by the terrorists also reportedly caused casualties of three nearby civilians.
In immediate response, security forces and the Balochistan Police reached the site and launched a comprehensive joint clearance operation to track down the perpetrators and facilitators.
During the operation, security forces detected the movement of fleeing terrorists and engaged and killed 10 more, bringing the total number of terrorists eliminated in the incidents to 18, the ISPR added.
Two soldiers also sustained injuries during the intense exchange of fire, it added.
Sanitization operations continue in the area to eliminate any remaining terrorists, the statement said.
The ISPR said the counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, as approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.
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