QUETTA: Security forces killed 19 terrorists in separate intelligence-based operations in Shaban, Kech and Quetta West during which a soldier was also martyred, the military’s media affairs wing said on Wednesday.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) 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,” the ISPR 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 added.
Kech and Quetta West ops
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 39-year-old Subedar Muhammad Jamil, a resident of Taunsa Sharif, embraced martyrdom during the exchange of fire.
The statement said 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.
Mastung action
Meanwhile, the Balochistan Home Department said nine other terrorists were killed by security forces in Mastung district.
Babar Yousafzai, an official of the home department, said security forces killed nine terrorists who attempted to attack a police check-post in the King Wadi area of Mastung district during a heavy exchange of fire.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the security forces for their successful operations, state-run APP reported.
In a statement, President Zardari said the elimination of Indian-backed terrorists was a testament to the professionalism of the security forces.
He also paid tribute to Subedar Jamil, saying his sacrifice was a symbol of the security forces’ unwavering commitment to the nation’s peace and security.
In another statement, PM Shehbaz also paid tribute to Subedar Jamil, saying the sacrifice of the soldier was a source of pride for the nation. He also offered condolences to his family.
The prime minister said security forces and law-enforcement agencies would continue operations until the elimination of terrorism.
Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2026
