0
• Weapons and explosives seized; sanitisation operation under Azm-i-Istehkam continues against foreign-sponsored groups
• President, PM and Balochistan CM praise forces, vow to eradicate terrorism and foil ‘India-backed conspiracies’
• Bugti says no military operation in province — only IBOs; 100 militants recently surrendered
QUETTA: Security forces have killed 12 terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Balochistan’s Kalat district, the military’s media wing stated on Sunday.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the IBO was conducted on the reported presence of “terrorists belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna al Hindustan”.
The state has designated Balochistan-based terrorist groups as Fitna al Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.
The ISPR said that during the operation conducted on Saturday, the security forces effectively engaged the terrorists’ location. After an intense fire exchange, 12 Indian-sponsored terrorists were killed, it added.
Weapons, ammunition and explosives were recovered from the terrorists, who, according to the statement, had been actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area.
“Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorist found in the area, as the relentless counterterrorism campaign under the vision of ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ — as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan — will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and -supported terrorism from the country,” the statement added.
Pakistan has seen a surge in terrorism, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the TTP ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, in their separate statements, also praised the security forces for the Kalat operation, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.
The president said that Pakistan was “fully capable of taking enemies of peace to their end at all costs”, adding that “the resolve of the nation will foil every conspiracy of Fitna al Hindustan”.
PM Shehbaz said the security forces were “achieving great successes against terrorism under the vision of Azm-i-Istehkam”. He said the nation was united against terrorism and committed to completely eradicating it, noting that these operations aimed to protect the lives and property of the people — a top priority of the state.
The chief minister said the terrorists operating under Indian sponsorship had met their logical end in Kalat, adding that this was clear evidence the state would not tolerate any form of subversion.
In the meantime, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said that the security situation in the province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was shaped by regional and geographical factors, stressing that the ongoing conflict was not the government’s alone but a shared responsibility of the judiciary, security agencies, and all other state institutions.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Sunday alongside MNA Jamal Raisani, CM Bugti said around 100 militants had surrendered to the government in Dera Bugti. Those who had taken up arms in 2018-19, he said, had now returned and been “embraced”.
‘No military ops in Balochistan’
He asserted that prioritising the state over politics was essential. “There is no military operation underway in Balochistan. Intelligence-based operations are being conducted. For those who want to fight only with guns, the state’s policy is clear.”
CM Bugti said the Baloch people had been pushed into a futile conflict and emphasised that the state had kept the door of amnesty open.
“Anyone who wants to return will be given a path,” he said, calling the recent surrenders a positive development.
He said a narrative had been created against Pakistan, its armed forces and the field marshal, urging political leaders to work for the relief of people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa instead of protesting constantly.
“No public office allows its holder to malign the Pakistan Armed Forces, as the Constitution does not permit it,” he said, adding: “I do not like labeling a fellow politician as anti-state or a security threat, but should we not reflect on our attitudes?”
CM Bugti reiterated his full support for the DG ISPR’s recent press briefing and questioned whether terrorists should be allowed to reach the federal capital. He urged PTI’s Sohail Afridi to cooperate with the federation.
He said the nation must stand with its armed forces. “The people of Balochistan are with their military and will continue to remain with them.”
The chief minister said that although the Afghan interim government had pledged not to shelter terrorists, these groups were still operating in KP and Balochistan. Militants, he said, use religion as a façade to justify their actions, but “they will not succeed”.
He added that despite Jamal Raisani’s family suffering repeated tragedies, with his brother and father martyred, he continued to stand with Pakistan. He urged political leaders to reflect on their behaviour instead of adopting popular narratives.
Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2025
