Pakistan army says 12 militants killed in intelligence-based operation in Balochistan

Pakistan’s security forces killed 12 militants during an intelligence-based operation in the Kalat district of southwestern Balochistan on Saturday, the military’s media wing said on Sunday.

The Inter-Services Public Relations, the military media wing, said the operation was launched after receiving intelligence about the presence of militants linked to what it described as the Indian-backed group Fitna al Hindustan.

Security forces raided a militant hideout, triggering an intense exchange of gunfire that resulted in the deaths of all 12 militants, the ISPR said.

The military said the militants were involved in multiple attacks in the area. Troops also recovered a cache of weapons, ammunition and explosives during the operation.

A sanitization operation is underway to clear the area of any remaining threats, the statement said.

The army reiterated its commitment to ongoing counterterrorism operations under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” framework, which was approved by the Federal Apex Committee under Pakistan’s National Action Plan.

The military said the campaign would continue with full force to eliminate what it called foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.