At least 15 Indian-sponsored terrorists killed in Balochistan IBOs

Pakistan’s security forces killed at least 15 terrorists belonging to Indian proxies, Fitna al Khwarij and Fitna al Hindustan, during two high-intensity intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Balochistan on  March 5, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.

In an IBO conducted in the Harnai District, troops successfully engaged a hideout belonging to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, aka Fitna al Khwarij. Following an intense fire exchange, twelve terrorists were killed, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

A separate IBO was executed in the Basima District targeting the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), aka Fitna al Hindustan. Security forces utilised mixed-calibre weaponry to engage the group, resulting in the elimination of three additional terrorists.

Weapons, ammunition and explosives were recovered from the killed terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities, the ISPR said.

Sanitisation efforts are currently underway to ensure no remaining elements of foreign-sponsored terrorism linger in these areas.

The ISPR reaffirmed that the relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” vision—approved by the Federal Apex Committee—will continue at full pace to permanently eliminate the menace of foreign-supported terrorism from Pakistan.

President, PM laud security forces

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have paid tribute to the security forces for their successful operations in Balochistan against terrorists.

In a statement, President Zardari described the elimination of 15 Indian-sponsored terrorists as a testament to the professional competence and resolve of the security forces.

“The complete eradication of foreign-backed terrorism from the country is a top priority and that the entire nation stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the security forces in their unwavering commitment to protect the motherland,” the president stated.

In a separate statement, PM Shehbaz noted that security forces are achieving significant successes against terrorism under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam. He reaffirmed that the entire nation stands with the Pakistan Armed Forces in this war against terrorism and expressed a firm resolve to completely eliminate the menace from the country.

Pakistan saw a significant surge in terrorist attacks in 2025, with the number of attacks rising by 34 percent compared to the previous year.

According to the Pakistan Security Report 2025 released by the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), the country witnessed 699 terrorist attacks, resulting in at least 1,034 deaths and 1,366 injuries.

READ MORE: Afghan border closure brings down terrorist violence by almost 17%: report

It said that terrorism-related fatalities increased by 21 percent, highlighting a continuing upward trend in militancy since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

Of the 699 terrorist attacks, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa witnessed 413 attacks, Gilgit-Baltistan witnessed 254 attacks, Sindh province recorded 21 attacks, Punjab witnessed 11, and three attacks were carried out in Gilgit-Baltistan in the previous year, according to the report.

Meanwhile, a significant drop in cross-border terrorist attacks and violence-linked fatalities has been recorded in Pakistan since it closed down the border with Afghanistan, a Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) annual security report revealed.

“Terrorist attacks went down by almost 17% in December, preceded by 9% decline in November. Terrorist violence-linked fatalities among civilians and security officials also fell in the last quarter of 2025, by nearly 4% and 19% each in November and December, respectively, as per the data collected by the CRSS.

The Pak-Afghan border was shut down for all kinds of trade and other activities on October 11, following the cross-border attacks by terrorists and Afghan forces which resulted in heavy casualties on both sides. The border closure also brought trade activities and pedestrian movement to a standstill. Islamabad says closures curb militant movement; Kabul denies providing safe haven to the militants.