RAWALPINDI, Sunday, September 20, 2026: Security forces killed five terrorists and rescued 23 abducted people after foiling an attempt to disrupt traffic on the Chaman-Karachi N-25 highway near Kalat in Balochistan, the military said on Sunday.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the incident occurred during the night of September 18-19 when terrorists belonging to what the state describes as Fitna al-Hindustan established a check post along the Pakistan Highway near Kalat.
The military said the check post was being used for abductions for ransom, extortion and vehicle snatching, disrupting the movement of civilians along the key national highway.
Security forces responded to the situation and an intense exchange of fire followed, in which five terrorists were killed, ISPR said.
The military described the militants as belonging to an Indian-sponsored proxy. India has previously denied Pakistan’s allegations that it supports separatist militancy in Balochistan.
23 abductees recovered from hideout
Following the operation, security forces recovered 23 abducted people from a terrorist hideout, according to ISPR.
Six trucks, three buses and two cars were also recovered from the hideout, along with a large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives.
ISPR said the operation had thwarted the militants’ attempt to disrupt civilian movement and carry out kidnappings, extortion and vehicle snatching along the N-25.
Sanitisation operations were continuing in surrounding areas to locate and eliminate any remaining terrorists and secure the local population and national highways.
The military said Pakistan’s counter-terrorism campaign under Azm-e-Istehkam, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue.
Security forces and law enforcement agencies remain committed to eliminating foreign-sponsored and foreign-supported terrorism from the country, ISPR added.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised the security forces for the Kalat operation and the safe recovery of the abducted civilians.