ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's security forces killed 17 terrorists during a series of intelligence-led operations across several districts of southwestern Balochistan province, the military's media wing said in a statement.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations, security forces conducted a series of operations in Mastung, Nushki, Zehri, Khuzdar and Kech districts of Balochistan province.
Last month, on May 24, a suicide bombing near a railway track martyred more than 20 people and injured dozens of others after an explosives-laden vehicle detonated as a passenger train passed through the area. Pakistani authorities said innocent civilians, including women and children, were among the victims.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which has been designated as a terrorist outfit by the US and Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack.
During the conduct of the operations, Pakistani troops effectively engaged multiple terrorist locations, said the statement.
It said that 17 terrorists, who it described as belonging to “Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Hindustan,” were killed, giving "a significant blow to the terrorist networks” operating in these areas.
Pakistan designates Fitna al-Hindustan as the banned Balochistan Liberation Army and affiliated terrorist groups.
The military's media wing said that weapons, ammunition and a large cache of explosives and prepared Improvised Explosive Devices were also recovered from the killed terrorists. It said that they had been actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area.
It added that the operation is continuing to eliminate terrorists hiding in the area as part of Pakistan's ongoing counterterrorism campaign, Azm-e-Istehkam, as approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan.
‘Nation highly values the sacrifices’
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the professionalism and bravery of the security forces for conducting successful intelligence-based operations in various districts of Balochistan.
"The nation highly values the sacrifices and services of its brave armed forces and law enforcement agencies," the prime minister said.
He said that the successes achieved by the security forces in the fight against terrorism reflect the determination and unity of the entire nation.
