16 militants killed in separate security operations across Balochistan

QUETTA: At least 16 militants were killed in separate security and police operations in different districts of Balochistan on Wednesday, according to state media and officials.

Two militants were killed during an intelligence-based operation in the Jausak area of Turbat, Radio Pakistan reported. Security forces carried out the operation against members of a group identified by the state as Fitna al Hindustan.

The state uses the term Fitna al Hindustan for Balochistan-based militant groups while alleging that India supports terrorism and destabilisation efforts in Pakistan.

Security forces also continued operations against militants in Balochistan under the ongoing Raddul Fitna-3 campaign.

In Mastung, nine militants were killed after they allegedly attempted to attack a security checkpost. According to state media, security personnel responded to the attack and killed the assailants.

Heavy weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants. Three motorcycles were also seized following the operation.

Security officials said operations against militants would continue until the threat was eliminated.

Separately, five militants were killed in a gun battle with police in Quetta’s Aghbarg area. Officials said the militants attempted to attack a police station on the outskirts of the provincial capital during the early hours of Wednesday.

Police personnel stationed at the Aghbarg police station responded to the attack. A heavy exchange of fire followed.

Saddar Senior Superintendent of Police Shafqat Janjua said five militants belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan were killed during the encounter. He said police had successfully prevented the attack and recovered weapons and ammunition from the militants.

According to the police officer, the attackers had arrived in the area on motorcycles before targeting the police station.

Meanwhile, the Edhi Foundation reported that one of its ambulances was allegedly seized by armed men in Balochistan.

The foundation said the ambulance was returning to the Edhi Kalat Centre at around 7:15am after transporting the body of a woman from an area near Gidar. The location was around 110 kilometres from Civil Hospital Kalat.

According to the foundation, unidentified armed men assaulted an Edhi employee before taking control of the ambulance. Further details about the incident were not immediately available.

The latest operations follow a series of security actions across Balochistan in recent days.

On Tuesday, security forces reportedly killed six militants and arrested nine suspected individuals during an intelligence-based operation in the Saran Tangi area of Balochistan.

A day earlier, four militants affiliated with a banned organisation were killed during an intelligence-based operation conducted in two areas of Panjgur district.

Last week, security forces also reported killing 11 militants during separate operations in Panjgur and Chagai districts.

Balochistan has witnessed a rise in militant violence in recent months. According to a monthly assessment by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, the number of reported militant attacks in the province increased by around 7 per cent, rising from 83 in July to 89 in August.