At least 12 terrorists have been killed, one injured, and nine arrested in a series of intelligence-based operations (IBOs) carried out by the security forces in the province of Balochistan under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna III, security sources said on 21st September.
Security officials said the operations took place in the suspected terrorist hideouts of Shaban, Zawar, Sirki Kach, Killi Sheikhan, Mangala and Panjgur districts, during which a number of engagements were held with armed terrorists and a number of arms and explosives were recovered.
An attempt to infiltrate Iran’s border was thwarted near the border.
An attempted infiltration by terrorists was also foiled in Radeeg district in Kech district of Balochistan, close to the Pakistan-Iran border, security sources said.
A security source reports that a group of terrorists tried to get into the area and make an attack. But the security forces were quick to respond, engaging the attackers and killing several of them. The rest of the militants apparently retreated from the area, with the bodies of their dead associates.
A clearance operation is ongoing to ensure that there are no militants in the area, sources said.
Various operations have been conducted in Balochistan.
The officials said they neutralised six terrorists in the Shaban area in one operation, and six other militants in another operation in the Zawar area. One terrorist was allegedly injured in the shooting.
Security forces also efficiently defused two IEDs in the Sirki Kach area, which had the potential to harm civilians and security forces.
Nine suspects were arrested in a targeted operation based on intelligence in Mangala. The suspects are being questioned in the ongoing investigations into the militant networks in the area.
Weapons Recovered
Weapons and ammunition were recovered during the operations, along with communication equipment, security officials said. The raids were aimed at intelligence reports that the movement and presence of terrorist elements were observed in the different districts of Balochistan.
The operations are a part of a wider counterterrorism campaign, security sources said, to stop attacks against civilians and state institutions and to disrupt the terrorist infrastructure and the militant network.
Drone Surveillance
Aerial observations and intelligence collection on the spot have also been critical in the ongoing operations, officials said. Security sources referred to footage from related operations in Balochistan indicating that there was a coordinated surveillance of the suspected movement of militants and that there was close liaison between air and ground forces in the tough terrain.
Operations Continue
Search and clearance operations are ongoing in some regions to search for any possible remaining militants and facilitators, security sources said.
“The target of Operation Radd-ul-Fitna III is to wipe out terrorist threats, protect sensitive areas, and stop future incidents in Balochistan, ” said a security official, adding that intelligence-based operations would go on in the province in the ongoing counterterrorism operations.
