QUETTA: Fifteen terrorists were killed in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) conducted by security for­ces in the Harnai and Basima areas of Balo­ch­istan, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), an IBO was conducted in Harnai district on Thursday on the rep­orted “presence of Fitna al Khawarij members”.

Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

“During the conduct of [the] operation, [our] own troops effectively engaged the khawarij hideout and after an intense engagement, 12 Indian-sponsored khawarij were sent to hell,” the ISPR added.

In a separate IBO, conducted in Basima district, military forces tracked the presence of Fitna al Hindustan terrorists and “effectively engaged them using mixed-calibre weapons”.

Fitna al Hindustan is a term designated by the state for terrorist groups in Balochistan.

After an intense exchange of fire, “three Indian-sponsored terrorists were sent to hell”, the ISPR said.

Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the killed khawarij and terrorists, who remained “actively involved in numerous terrorist activities”, according to the statement.

“Sanitisations operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists found in the area,” it added.

The military’s media wing said that the relentless counter-terrorism campaign by Pakistan’s security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue “at full pace” under the vision of Azm-i-Istehkam to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.

President, PM laud security forces

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces for eliminating the 15 terrorists during two separate operations in Balochistan. Pointing out that eradicating terrorism from the country was government’s top priority, they said the entire nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in their unwavering resolve to defend the homeland.

The president termed the elimination of Indian-sponsored terrorists during intelligence-based operations in Harnai and Basima a reflection of the professionalism and determination of the security forces.

Security forces, under the vision of Azm-i-Istehkam, were achieving huge successes against terrorism, the prime minister stated. Last month, dozens of terrorists were killed in separate operations in KP and Balochistan.

With input from APP

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2026