11 Militants Killed in Security Operations Across KP, Balochistan
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Security forces killed 11 militants in separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan on Saturday, as counterterrorism operations continued in different parts of the country.
Five militants were killed during an intelligence-based operation in South Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where security forces targeted militant hideouts.
The hideouts were destroyed during the operation, while a large quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered.
The operation formed part of ongoing counterterrorism actions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the Azm-e-Istehkam framework.
Separately, security forces killed six militants during operations in the Gorander and Mashkel areas of Balochistan.
The militants opened fire on a security check post in Mashkel before attempting to flee. Security forces responded and killed the fleeing militants.
The Balochistan operations were carried out under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3, part of continuing security actions against militant groups operating in the province.
Pakistani authorities use the terms “Fitna al-Khawarij” for militants associated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and “Fitna al-Hindustan” for Balochistan-based militant groups that Islamabad alleges receive support from India.
India has rejected Pakistani allegations that it sponsors militant activity in the country.
The latest operations come amid intensified counterterrorism activity in both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, two provinces that have faced repeated militant attacks.
Security forces also carried out an operation in North Waziristan a day earlier, where seven militants were reported killed in the Eidik area.
Pakistani security authorities have reiterated that operations against militant networks and their hideouts will continue as part of efforts to curb violence and restore security in affected areas.
