Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday that 19 terrorists had been killed and a soldier was martyred in several operations across Balochistan.

In a statement, it said intelligence agencies had reported the presence of multiple hideouts of Indian-sponsored Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan in Quetta district’s Shaban area “posing a threat to the local population”.

The state uses the term Fitna al Khawarij for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and refers to designated Balochistan-based groups as Fitna al Hindustan to highlight India’s role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.

“In order to safeguard the local populace and clear the area of terrorists, security forces have been conducting a clearance operation in the general area of Shaban since Sept 21. During the operation, security forces effectively engaged and cleared multiple terrorist hideouts,” it said.

“Following an intense exchange of fire, 13 Indian-sponsored terrorists have been killed so far. Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the cleared hideouts. The clearance operation will continue until the complete neutralisation of the threat in the area,” it said.

The ISPR statement went on to say that security forces also conducted “pre-emptive intelligence-based operations” in Kech and Quetta West, during separate engagements on Sept 22 and 23.

“During the operations, troops effectively engaged the terrorists and, following an intense exchange of fire, six terrorists were killed,” it said, adding that weapons and ammunition were also recovered.

It said that 39-year-old Subedar Muhammad Jamil, a resident of Taunsa Sharif, embraced martyrdom during the exchange of fire.

The statement said that the counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ would continue at full pace.

“Security forces and law enforcement agencies remain committed to eliminating the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” it concluded.

President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the security forces for their successful operations. In a statement, he said that the elimination of Indian-backed terrorists was a testament to the professionalism of the security forces.

President Zardari also paid tribute to Subedar Jamil, saying that his sacrifice was a symbol of the security forces’ unwavering commitment to the nation’s peace and security.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also hailed the successful operations.

“We commend the courage and professional capabilities of the security forces for killing 19 terrorists,” Naqvi said, adding that operations against those disrupting the peace in Balochistan were ongoing.

Earlier in the day, Radio Pakistan had reported that security forces killed two terrorists affiliated with Fitna al Hindustan during an intelligence-based operation in the Jausak area of Turbat.

Pakistan Television had also reported that security forces continued operations against terrorists in Balochistan under Raddul Fitna-3.

In Mastung, nine terrorists were killed after they attempted to attack a checkpost, according to the state broadcaster. Heavy weapons, ammunition and three motorcycles were also recovered, it added.

“Operations will continue until the threat is eliminated,” Pakistan TV said, quoting the security forces.

Terrorists killed in gun battle with police

Meanwhile, Balochistan police killed five terrorists in a gun battle in Quetta’s Aghbarg area after terrorists attempted to attack a police station, officials said.

Officials said the terrorists targeted the Aghbarg police station, located on the outskirts of Quetta, in the early hours of Wednesday. Police personnel deployed at the station immediately returned fire.

“In a heavy exchange of fire, five terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan were killed by police,” Saddar Senior Superintendent of Police Shafqat Janjua said. He added that police had foiled the attack and seized weapons and ammunition.

According to Janjua, the attackers arrived in the area on motorcycles before targeting the police station.

Separately, the Edhi Foundation said one of its ambulances was allegedly hijacked by armed men in Balochistan on Wednesday.

In a statement, the foundation said the ambulance was returning to the Edhi Kalat Centre at around 7:15am after transporting the body of a woman from an area near Gidar, about 110 kilometres from Civil Hospital, Kalat.

The foundation said unidentified armed men assaulted the Edhi worker and took control of the ambulance.

On Tuesday, Radio Pakistan reported that six terrorists were killed and nine suspected individuals were arrested during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) by security forces in Balochistan’s Saran Tangi area.

On Monday, security forces killed four more terrorists belonging to a banned organisation in an intelligence-based operation carried out in two areas of Panjgur district.

Last week, security forces killed 11 terrorists in separate operations in Panjgur and Chagai districts.

The number of terrorist attacks in the province increased by seven per cent from 83 in July to 89 in August, according to a monthly assessment by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies.