3 more terrorists killed in Mastung IBO, taking tally to 13

Security forces have killed three more terrorists in an ongoing intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Khad Kocha area of Balochistan’s Mastung district, state-run Radio Pakistan reported on Saturday, citing security sources.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in a statement commending the security forces, also confirmed the development. The security operation, conducted under an indefinite curfew, was launched after a shooting on a Karachi-bound coach coming from Quetta claimed three lives and injured five others on Wednesday.

On Saturday, Radio Pakistan quoted security sources as saying that “Fitna al-Hindustan has suffered further losses” in the IBO, which has been dubbed Operation Al-Azm.

The government uses the term “Fitna al-Hindustan” for Balochistan-based groups to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.

“The number of terrorists killed so far during Operation Al-Azm has reached 13,” Radio Pakistan reported. Six of these had been killed on Thursday and another four were eliminated a day ago.

Security sources said that several hideouts “belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan” were destroyed. They added that weapons, ammunition and materials used for making improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were also recovered.

“There are also confirmed reports that several terrorists belonging to Fitna ul Hindustan were injured during the operation,” Radio Pakistan stated.

In his statement, Naqvi commended the professionalism of security forces in their counterterrorism efforts, state-run APP reported.

Noting that security forces were conducting effective operations against terrorists across Balochistan as part of Operation Al-Azm, he specifically lauded the actions in Khad Kocha.

The interior minister stated that 13 terrorists have been “killed in operations conducted under Operation Al-Azm so far”. Naqvi said operations by security forces would continue until terrorism was eliminated from Balochistan.

On Thursday, besides six terrorists being killed, officials also claimed the arrest of female suicide bombers and several other suspects who were considered to be working as facilitators for the attackers.

The same day, District and Sessions Judge Abdul Hakeem Kakar and his guard were gunned down, and another judge was among two injured when they came under attack by armed men while heading to Mastung.

The gun attack followed security forces killing three terrorists in Mastung, where the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said two suicide bombers and their facilitator were also apprehended. Another seven terrorists were eliminated in Surab district.

Amid the clearance operation in Mastung, the provincial leadership on Friday emphasised the need for a political resolution to the ongoing crisis.

Speaking to political and tribal leaders, Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove reiterated the government’s commitment to dialogue and said the parliament remained the most effective platform for political parties to present their views, concerns and demands.

Security concerns have heightened in Balochistan after a spate of major terrorist attacks took place earlier this month, which prompted counterterrorism operations across the province.

Among the counterterrorism efforts was Operation Shaban, in which 91 terrorists were killed between July 5 and July 16, according to security sources cited by state media. This took the tally of terrorists eliminated in operations across the province during the period to 129. ...