QUETTA / MIRAMSHAH: In the hunt for those behind the suicide bombing at Quetta’s Chaman railway crossing, security forces killed 17 terrorists linked to India-backed banned outfits during intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in different parts of Balochistan, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
In a statement on Tuesday, the military’s media wing said terrorist’s locations were targeted by security personnel during operations in the districts of Mastung, Nushki, Khuzdar and Kech, launched following the attack on a shuttle train on May 24, which claimed over a dozen lives and left many more injured.
“Following intense and fierce exchanges of fire, 17 terrorists belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna al Hindustan have been sent to hell, giving a significant blow to the terrorist networks operating in these areas,” the ISPR statement read.
The state has designated Balochistan-based terrorist groups as ‘Fitna al-Hindustan’ to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.
The ISPR statement added that weapons, ammunition and a large cache of explosives were recovered from the dead terrorists, as well as improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
“Sanitisation operations continue to eliminate terrorists from these areas, as [the] relentless counter-terrorism campaign under vision ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” it said.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti expressed satisfaction over the successful operations conducted by security forces across various districts.
He praised the professionalism, courage and sacrifices of security forces and law enforcement agencies involved in the operations, adding that the people of Balochistan desired peace, development and prosperity, and would not allow terrorist elements to hold the province’s future hostage.
Attack thwarted, Section 144 imposed
Separately, at least four terrorists were killed after security forces thwarted an attack on a military post by terrorists affiliated with Fitna al-Khwarij near Miramshah in North Waziristan.
Fitna al-Khwarij is the term the state uses to refer to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorist outfit.
Meanwhile, an indefinite ban on all movement and traffic in Miranshah subdivision was imposed due to security concerns.
According to an order issued by the North Waziristan deputy commissioner, the Section 144 restrictions were “necessary to ensure public safety, maintain law and order, and facilitate the secure movement of security forces in the area”.
As per the order, the movement of all individuals and vehicles has been banned until further notice. However, security personnel, emergency services including ambulances and fire brigades and those with prior permission from the district police or security forces have been exempted from the restrictions.
Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2026
