Security forces kills 17 militants in two operations in Balochistan: ISPR

Security forces killed 17 militants in two separate intelligence-based operations in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, while a Pakistan Army soldier was also martyred during an exchange of fire, ISPR said on Tuesday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were conducted on November 1 in Kachhi and Kharan districts following intelligence reports about the presence of militants affiliated with what it described as Indian-backed proxy groups.

In the first operation, security forces targeted militants in the Sanni area of Kachhi district after they attempted to establish a blockade. The attempt was thwarted, and 10 militants were killed, with weapons and ammunition recovered from their possession, the ISPR said.

In a separate operation in Kharan district, security forces identified and destroyed a militant hideout. Seven militants were killed during an intense exchange of fire, while weapons and ammunition were also recovered, according to the statement.

A Pakistan Army soldier, Sepoy Hikmatullah, was killed during the operation in Kharan. He was 25 years old and belonged to Karak district, the military said.

The ISPR said clearance operations were underway in both areas to eliminate any remaining militants.

It added that counterterrorism operations would continue under the Azm-e-Istehkam framework, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, until terrorism and its alleged foreign support were eliminated.