Balochistan operations: 22 more terrorists killed as three-day toll hits 177

Security forces have eliminated at least 22 more militants in Balochistan, bringing the three-day province-wide death toll to 177.

These ongoing sanitisation strikes, targeting the “Fitna al-Hindustan” group, represent a coordinated push by security agencies including police to dismantle terror networks and their facilitators across the province, Aaj News reported on Monday.

According to security sources, ongoing operations against “Fitna al-Hindustan” terrorists led to the killing of an additional 22 terrorists during pursuit operations last night. Sources stated that the total death toll of terrorists has reached 177 following intelligence-based operations carried out in various regions over the last 72 hours.

Security forces, intelligence agencies, and the police have tightened the noose around terrorists and their facilitators through coordinated joint actions. Targets are being neutralised as areas are cleared in a phased manner. Security sources further indicated that reports of additional casualties among terrorists and their accomplices are being received, with final verification currently underway.

Reuters on Monday quoted military as saying that the terrorists stormed schools, banks, and security installations, killing nearly 50 people, in a series of coordinated attacks across the restive province.

The attacks at the weekend brought Pakistan’s largest province to a near standstill as the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) struck nearly a dozen targets in one of their largest ever operations, killing 17 security officials and 31 civilians.

READ MORE: BLA receives funding from India, targets civilians: Asif

Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to foiling any attempt to sabotage peace and stability in Balochistan, vowing that security operations will persist until the total eradication of terrorism is achieved.

Pakistan’s government and military have said the terrorist group has received support from India.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has commended security forces for eliminating an additional 22 terrorists of “Fitna al-Hindustan” in Balochistan.

The interior minister praised the professional capabilities of the security forces, police, and intelligence agencies, stating that their timely and effective action has successfully foiled the nefarious designs of the terrorists, the Ministry of Interior said in a statement.

Paying tribute to the personnel involved in the successful operation against the terrorists and their facilitators, Naqvi remarked: “The joint efforts of the security forces have thwarted a conspiracy to destabilise Balochistan.”

“The nation is immensely proud of its brave sons,” he added.

Reaffirming the government’s resolve, the minister asserted that Fitna al-Hindustan and its facilitators will be completely eradicated and that the authorities will go to any length to establish lasting peace in Balochistan.