ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's security forces have killed 33 Indian-sponsored Khwarij and terrorists in Balochistan since September 21 during ongoing counterterrorism operations, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The latest operations were carried out against Fitna Al Khawarij and Fitna Al Hindustan, with security forces targeting terrorist hideouts in different areas of the province.
On September 24, security forces conducting Operation Shaban busted additional terrorist hideouts and killed five Indian-sponsored Khwarij following an intense exchange of fire, ISPR said. The latest five killings brought the number of Khwarij killed during the operation to 22.
Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the hideouts, while the clearance operation will continue until the threat in the area is completely neutralized, according to ISPR.
In a separate intelligence-based operation in Nushki district on September 25, security forces engaged a terrorist hideout and killed 11 terrorists following an intense exchange of fire, ISPR said.
President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to security forces for the successful operations, praising their bravery and professional capabilities during Operation Shaban.
According to the President's Office media wing, Zardari described the elimination of 33 Indian-sponsored Khwarij and terrorists in Balochistan as a commendable achievement and said the recovery of weapons, ammunition and explosives from terrorist hideouts demonstrated the effectiveness of the operations.
The president said the “nefarious designs” of terrorist elements operating with Indian sponsorship would be thwarted at all costs.
National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also praised security forces for the Nushki operation, in which 11 terrorists were killed.
In a statement, Sadiq commended the professional expertise and capabilities of security forces, saying their unwavering resolve in the fight against terrorism was commendable.
He said security forces had foiled the “nefarious designs” of terrorists and that the nation stood alongside them in the fight against terrorism.
Sadiq said terrorists could not undermine the national resolve through “cowardly acts,” adding that operations would continue until the complete elimination of terrorism.
ISPR said the ongoing counterterrorism campaign under Azm-e-Istehkam, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, would continue at full pace to eliminate foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.