QUETTA: Security forces have killed 33 terrorists in counter-terrorism operations in Balochistan since Sept 21, the military’s media affairs wing said in a statement on Friday.
Terrorists from Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan were targeted in the operations, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The state uses the term Fitna al-Khawarij for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and refers to designated Balochistan-based groups as Fitna al-Hindustan to highlight India’s role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.
Detailing the operations, the ISPR said that on Sept 24, as part of the ongoing Operation Shaban, security forces busted additional terrorist hideouts, and after an intense fire exchange, five “India-sponsored terrorists” were killed. This took the tally of killed terrorists to 22, it added.
Five of them eliminated by security forces while busting hideouts, 11 in Noshki operation
“Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from khawarij locations. The clearance operation will continue till the complete neutralisation of threat from the area,” the statement said.
In another engagement on Sept 25, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the Noshki district.
“During the conduct of [the] operation, [our] own troops effectively engaged [the] terrorists’ hideout and after an intense fire exchange, 11 terrorists were sent to hell,” the ISPR stated.
“[The] relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ (as approved by [the] Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out [the] menace of foreign-sponsored and -supported terrorism from the country,” the military’s media wing added.
Leadership lauds action
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the security forces for the successful operations against Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan.
“The nefarious designs of Indian-backed terrorist elements will be thwarted at all costs,” a statement issued from the Presidency quoted President Zardari as saying.
In a statement issued by the PM Office, the premier said the complete eradication of foreign-sponsored terrorism, including Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan, was the government’s top priority.
Balochistan has witnessed an increase in terrorist attacks in recent weeks, prompting security forces to intensify counter-terrorism operations.
The number of terrorist attacks in the province increased by seven per cent from 83 in July to 89 in August, according to a monthly assessment by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies.
Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2026
