8 terrorists killed in ongoing Balochistan IBOs: ISPR

An army officer and a soldier were martyred while eight terrorists were killed in ongoing intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Balochistan, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.

A statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that since Friday, armed forces were conducting multiple IBOs around Kolpur, Kardagap and Nushki, including area domination and patrolling of the Quetta–Taftan National Highway (N-40) to keep it secure for local traffic and sustain operations.

It said that on the night between Friday and Saturday, “security forces successfully neutralised eight Indian-sponsored terrorists of Fitna al Hindustan (FAH), including a suicide bomber and recovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition” in Kolpur.

It added that today, “FAH terrorists targeted military vehicles on patrol with armed quadcopters,” martyring Major Omer Minhas Nasir, a resident of Chakwal district, and Havildar Muhammad Adnan Khan, a resident of Kotli Sattian.

“This cowardly act has not shaken the resolve of the security forces,” the ISPR said, adding that “the tempo of operations will be maintained and IBOs will continue with the same vigour to secure the local population and eliminate the menace of terrorism.”

“Clearance operations in these areas will continue until the threat is completely neutralised,” the ISPR stated.

Read: Force alone no solution to complex problem in Balochistan, says senior security official

It further said that the FAH “is actively trying to use drones and other technical means, including IEDs (improvised explosive devices) to target innocent civilians and security forces, so as to undermine the efforts of the government and security forces to maintain peace and normalcy in the area”.

These efforts, it said, were “backed by India and other hostile intelligence agencies”.

The ISPR said that “India continues to give FAH full financial support and supply it with the latest gadgetry,” noting, however, that security forces “are fully alive to this evolving threat and will deny the terrorists any space, whatever means they employ”.

The military’s media wing reaffirmed that the “relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, will continue at full pace.”

“Security forces and law enforcement agencies remain determined to eliminate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country,” it said, adding that “the sacrifices of our martyrs further strengthen this resolve.”

“The sacrifices of Pakistan’s officers and soldiers in the war against terrorism, which continues with foreign patronage, are a source of pride for the entire nation. The martyrs’ sacrifices further strengthen the nation’s resolve to completely eradicate terrorism. Terrorists’ cowardly attacks cannot demoralise our security institutions,” President Asif Ali Zardari said in a statement.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the security forces for killing the eight terrorists.

According to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Shehbaz also paid tribute to the martyrs.

“The entire nation salutes the everlasting sacrifices of its martyrs,” the PMO said.

The premier noted that “the enemies are making a despicable attempt to sabotage the peace of the region by targeting innocent citizens and security personnel; however, our armed forces fully possess the capability to reduce every vile plan of the enemy to dust.”

PM Shehbaz reaffirmed the continuation of operations “with full force until the complete eradication of terrorism carried out under foreign sponsorship”.

Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also condoled the martyrdom of the two personnel.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the martyrs, saying their resolve and spirit “constitute the true strength of the nation”.

He further said: “Every single drop of our martyrs’ blood serves as a guarantee for the protection of the homeland. The martyrs will always remain alive in our hearts.”

Earlier in the day, the ISPR noted that two soldiers were martyred while 16 terrorists, including two Afghan nationals, were killed during IBOs in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district over the past 12 hours.

Read More: Afghan national arrested in Tirah Valley for plotting terrorist attacks in Pakistan: K-P police

On Friday, security forces killed 74 terrorists during IBOs in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The ISPR had noted that from November 3 onwards, “security forces are conducting comprehensive intelligence-based area sanitisation operations in Kurram area of District Quetta against Indian backed Fitna Al Khawarij & Fitna Al Hindustan in Balochistan.”

On Thursday, security forces had foiled an attack on Kandawa Post along National Highway N-25 in Balochistan’s Mastung district, killing three terrorists. Two civilians were martyred, while several others sustained injuries, including three Frontier Corps personnel.

Terrorism is a growing problem for Pakistan, with the number of attacks rising every year since 2022, according to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), a global monitoring organisation.

Balochistan has remained a major target of Indian proxies. The province has witnessed militants frequently targeting convoys, abducting security personnel and civilians, and attacking security and civilian installations.