Nine militants killed in Balochistan operations, Pakistan military says

Nine militants were killed in two security operations in Balochistan’s Kachhi and Wadh districts on October 26, Pakistan’s military said on Wednesday.

The military described the group as Indian-sponsored and said the operations followed intelligence reports of militant presence.

How many militants were killed in Balochistan?

Security forces killed nine militants across two operations. Seven died in Kachhi after security forces raided a hideout and exchanged fire, while two were killed in Wadh during a gun battle.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered at both sites, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.

Who were the militants targeted in Kachhi and Wadh?

The military said the militants belonged to what it calls Fitna Al Hindustan. In Wadh, security forces intercepted the movement of the militants before the gun battle, according to the ISPR.

Intelligence reports had indicated the group’s presence in both districts, the ISPR said in a statement. Security forces are conducting follow-up searches in both areas to locate any remaining militants.

What is the Azm-e-Istehkam initiative?

The ISPR said the operations form part of Pakistan’s broader counterterrorism campaign under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” initiative. The Federal Apex Committee approved the initiative under the National Action Plan.

The military added that security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue efforts to combat what it described as foreign-sponsored terrorism.