Rawalpindi: Pakistan’s security forces achieved a major counter-terrorism success in Balochistan’s Kalat district, killing four India-sponsored terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) carried out on the night of November 1, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), announced on Saturday.
According to the ISPR statement, the operation was launched following credible intelligence reports about the presence of terrorists affiliated with the India-backed group “Fitna-e-Hindustan”, which has been involved in multiple attacks targeting civilians, security personnel, and infrastructure projects in Balochistan.
The ISPR said that security forces surrounded the hideout and effectively engaged the terrorists after a fierce exchange of fire, resulting in the deaths of four militants. The statement added that a cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosive materials was recovered from their possession, preventing potential terrorist attacks in the region.
“These terrorists had been actively involved in several subversive and anti-state activities, including attacks on security forces and acts of sabotage against critical installations,” the ISPR said, emphasizing that the successful operation was part of ongoing efforts to eliminate foreign-sponsored militancy from Pakistan’s southwestern province.
The military further revealed that the group had been receiving financial, technical, and operational assistance from Indian intelligence agencies, particularly in carrying out attacks designed to destabilize Balochistan and disrupt peace efforts. The ISPR reiterated that Pakistan remains fully committed to uprooting terrorism from every corner of the country, especially those elements acting as proxies for hostile foreign powers.
“Pakistan’s security forces, along with law enforcement agencies, are determined to continue their counter-terrorism campaign until the menace of externally sponsored terrorism is completely eradicated,” the statement declared. “The operation in Kalat demonstrates our resolve to ensure peace and stability in Balochistan and across Pakistan.”
Officials said that clearance operations are still underway in the area to ensure that no remaining elements of the network escape. Local residents have reportedly been cooperating with authorities, providing valuable information that helped identify and locate the hideout.
The military credited the success to precise intelligence gathering and coordination among various security agencies. “The timely sharing of actionable intelligence and swift operational execution prevented a major terrorist plot,” a senior security official noted.
Security analysts have linked this operation to Pakistan’s broader counter-terrorism strategy that aims to dismantle the infrastructure of foreign-backed militant organizations attempting to reignite unrest in Balochistan. These groups, according to officials, often target development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and seek to create instability in the resource-rich province.
This latest encounter comes amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India over cross-border terrorism and intelligence operations. Islamabad has repeatedly accused New Delhi of financing and directing militant groups to carry out attacks within Pakistan’s borders, particularly in Balochistan. India, however, continues to deny these allegations.
