Pakistan security forces kill 5 militants, rescue 23 abductees in Balochistan operation along N-25 highway near Kalat.
Pakistani security forces killed five militants and rescued 23 kidnapped people during an operation along a major highway near Kalat in Balochistan on September 18-19. The military said the fighters belonged to Fitna-al-Hindustan, a group it accuses of being Indian-backed, and were running an illegal checkpoint used for abductions and extortion.
- ▪Operation occurred along N-25 Karachi-Chaman highway; militants had established checkpoint for ransom kidnappings and vehicle theft
- ▪Militants killed identified as members of Fitna-al-Hindustan, designated by Pakistan as India-sponsored proxy group
- ▪23 abductees recovered from militant hideout near Kalat
- ▪Security forces seized 6 trucks, 3 buses, 2 cars, plus weapons, ammunition and explosives
- ▪Sanitisation operations ongoing in surrounding areas to eliminate remaining militants
- ▪Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended forces, pledged continued anti-terror operations under Azm-i-Istehkam initiative
- ▪President Asif Ali Zardari said nation stands with security forces in fight against terrorism
- ▪Part of intensified counter-terrorism campaign; Balochistan saw 7% rise in attacks from July to August (83 to 89 incidents)
- ▪Recent operations: 10 militants killed Aug 31-Sept 1 in Pishin; 11 killed Aug 31 in Chagai; 36 killed across multiple districts Sept 4
Source: according to military statements
COMMENTS