RAWALPINDI, Oct 18: Security forces killed eight militants during three intelligence-based operations in Balochistan’s Quetta, Nushki and Khuzdar districts on October 17, the military’s media wing said on Sunday.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations targeted militants belonging to the group designated by the military as Fitna al-Hindustan, which it described as an Indian-backed terrorist network.
In the first operation, security forces intercepted an attempt by militants to establish a roadblock in the Panjpai area of Quetta district to disrupt local traffic.
The resulting exchange of fire left five militants dead, ISPR said.
In a separate intelligence-based operation in Nushki district, security personnel raided a suspected militant hideout. Two militants were killed following an intense exchange of fire, while weapons and ammunition were recovered from the location.
Another operation was carried out in Khuzdar district, where security forces targeted a militant hideout through what ISPR described as a swift offensive action.
One militant was killed during the operation, while security personnel recovered approximately **490 kilograms of explosives** from the site.
The military maintained that the militants killed in the three operations were backed by India. The allegation of Indian sponsorship was made by ISPR and could not be independently verified.
According to the statement, follow-up search and clearance operations are continuing in the affected areas to locate and eliminate any remaining militants.
ISPR said the operations formed part of the ongoing counterterrorism campaign under Azm-e-Istehkam, an initiative approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan.
The military reiterated that security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue counterterrorism operations aimed at eliminating militant networks and combating what it described as foreign-sponsored terrorism.
The latest operations come as security forces continue intelligence-led actions against militant groups operating in different parts of Balochistan.