On September 28 and 29, in separate intelligence-based operations, security forces killed at least 12 terrorists across different districts in Balochistan, security sources and Pakistani media reports said, as counter-terrorism operations continued in Balochistan.

It is reported that these operations were carried out in the area of Dera Bugti, Mastung and Chagai in an effort to neutralise the terrorist network of Fitna al-Hindustan. The operations also ended in the arrest of 17 facilitators and the elimination of terrorist hideouts and weapons-storage facilities.

Security Forces Take Down 6 Terrorists in Dera Bugti Operation 

On September 28, the security forces launched an intelligence-based raid on Dera Bugti-Kashmore Road based on intelligence about the presence of terrorists in the area.

Security sources say that a gunfight broke out when troops approached the suspected terrorist location, killing six terrorists. There were also a number of security injuries sustained during the engagement.

A search and clearance operation was then undertaken to track down any other militants left behind and to secure the area.

The operation was carried out while the security forces carried on with their intensified counter-terrorism operations across Balochistan under their Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3.

Security Forces Eliminate 4 Terrorists and 17 Facilitators in Dasht Operation 

Security forces on September 28 engaged in another intelligence-based operation to target terrorist elements in the area of Dagari Cross in Dasht district in Mastung.

Four terrorists were killed and 17 facilitators arrested, security sources said.

They were also against terrorist infrastructure. The area was reportedly cleared and mopped up of hideouts and weapons storage areas.

The arrests may give the security agencies information on the larger network behind the act of terrorism in the region.

Two terrorists killed in Chagai

Security sources said on September 29 that they had killed another two terrorists in Chagai’s Nokcha area.

The terrorists were believed to be trying to ignite a water tanker or bowser, which was empty before they ran off. The reports say security forces responded, shooting both men dead.

The two had also been engaged in previous arson and sabotage operations on the N-40, which is a major route between Balochistan and the border region.

The total number of incidents covered in the different operations includes 12 terrorists killed in the Chagai operation, which brings the tally to 12 over the last two days, September 28-29.

Part of wider counter-terrorism campaign

The latest operations followed a week after the military had said it had witnessed a significant surge in counter-terrorism operations in Balochistan.

However, on September 27, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced that more than 71 terrorists had been killed by the security forces in Balochistan over the last 96 hours. The military stated that the campaign covered the ongoing operation Shaban in Shaban and Ziarat of Quetta district, as well as separate operations based on intelligence in Nushki and Mand.

ISPRA said that Operation Shaban started on September 21 as intelligence agencies had been informed about the presence of terrorist hideouts in the area. Security forces then swept through various locations and retrieved firearms, ammunition and explosives.

Previously, ISPR had said that in Balochistan 33 terrorists had been killed since September 21, five of whom were killed in Shaban and 11 in Nushki.

The recent actions in Dera Bugti, Mastung and Chagai would thus be part of a larger security operation, and not a stand-alone operation.

Focus on terrorist networks and infrastructure

The geographical distribution of the recent operations also shows the security campaign’s geographical reach, ranging from Dera Bugti in the eastern part of Balochistan to Mastung and Chagai in the central and western parts of Balochistan.

Reported operations have been aimed at not only terrorists but also the infrastructure and support networks of terrorists, such as hiding places, weapons-storage sites and facilitators.

Search and clearance operations will continue after the latest fighting to flush out the remaining elements of the terrorists and to stop them from regrouping, security forces have said.