Pakistani forces kill 5 militants in restive Balochistan province

Pakistani security forces killed five militants during an overnight operation in the southwestern province of Balochistan, the military said Saturday, part of a sweeping counterterrorism campaign in a region plagued by separatist and Islamist violence.

The intelligence-based operation targeted a hideout in Dera Bugti district on Friday, according to a statement from the military's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations.

The military said the militants were linked to Fitna al Hindustan, a group it describes as backed by neighboring India. New Delhi has repeatedly denied sponsoring militant activity in Pakistan.

Troops recovered weapons, ammunition and explosives from the site, the statement said. The military identified the dead as individuals involved in past attacks in the area but did not provide further details.

Security forces were conducting follow-up operations nearby to locate any remaining militants, the military said.

The operation was carried out under Azm-e-Istehkam, a nationwide counterterrorism initiative launched earlier this year amid a surge in militant attacks across Pakistan.