Army major among 4 troops martyred, 24 terrorists killed in Balochistan, KP

Four Pakistani army personnel, including a major, were martyred and 24 terrorists were killed in counterterrorism operations in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the military said on Saturday.

Security forces are stepping up operations against suspected hideouts and have faced attacks involving armed drones.

Where were the 24 terrorists killed in Balochistan and KP?

Security forces killed eight terrorists in Balochistan and 16 in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the ISPR said. Four personnel were martyred: two in a drone attack in Balochistan and two in North Waziristan. The military said clearance operations are continuing to locate remaining terrorists.

In Balochistan, the eight dead included a suicide bomber. They were killed during intelligence-based operations around Kolpur, Kardagap and Nushki, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said.

The operations began on November 13 and included patrols along the Quetta-Taftan National Highway to protect traffic and maintain security.

Troops killed the eight terrorists in Kolpur overnight on November 13-14 and recovered weapons and ammunition, the ISPR said. On Saturday, militants targeted patrolling military vehicles with armed quadcopters. The attack martyred Major Omer Minhas Nasir, a resident of Chakwal district, and Havildar Muhammad Adnan Khan, from Kotli Sattian.

What happened in North Waziristan?

Security forces killed 16 terrorists, including two Afghan nationals, in engagements at three locations over a 12-hour period, the military said. Twelve died in Ali Khel, while two each were killed in Mir Ali and Datta Khel, according to the ISPR. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the sites.

The military said the terrorists were involved in several attacks, including those targeting civilians. Two soldiers were martyred in the engagements: Havildar Asmat Ali, 43, from Swabi district, and Naik Aftab Ali, 32, from Mardan district.

What did the military say about the threat and next steps?

The military attributed the groups’ activities to support from India and other hostile intelligence agencies. It said they were receiving financial assistance and advanced equipment.

The ISPR said armed drones and other technology, including improvised explosive devices, have emerged as part of the threat facing security forces. It said counterterrorism operations would continue under the government’s “Azm-e-Istehkam” framework. The Federal Apex Committee approved the framework under the National Action Plan to eliminate militancy and restore security.

The military said the martyrdom of the four personnel would not weaken the resolve of security forces and law enforcement agencies to combat terrorism.