ISLAMABAD: Eighteen terrorists affiliated with Fitna Al Hindustan were killed in a premature explosion and a subsequent security operation in Balochistan’s Surab district on Wednesday, while three civilians lost their lives and two soldiers were injured, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The military’s media wing said an under-prepared Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) detonated prematurely on the morning of August 12 while it was allegedly being prepared by terrorists. The explosion killed eight terrorists and injured several others.
The ISPR said the blast also triggered secondary explosions involving explosives stored at the site, resulting in the deaths of three civilians in the vicinity.
Following the explosion, security forces and Balochistan Police launched a joint clearance operation in the area. During the operation, forces detected a group of fleeing terrorists and, following an exchange of fire, killed another 10, taking the total number of terrorists killed to 18, the statement said.
Two soldiers were also injured during the exchange of fire.
Sanitisation operations were continuing in the area to locate and eliminate any remaining militants, ISPR added.
The military reiterated that counter-terrorism operations under the Azm-e-Istehkam framework would continue against what it described as foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026