Pakistani security forces killed nine suspected militants in two intelligence-based operations in Balochistan’s Kachhi and Wadh districts, the military’s media wing announced on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were conducted on October 26 following intelligence reports about the presence of militants belonging to groups the government identifies as Fitna al-Hindustan.
The designation is used by Pakistani authorities for Balochistan-based militant organisations they accuse of receiving support from India. New Delhi’s alleged involvement was not independently verified.
During the first operation in Kachhi district, security personnel targeted a suspected militant hideout. Seven militants were killed in an exchange of fire, and the hideout was destroyed, the ISPR said.
In a separate operation in Wadh, security forces tracked and intercepted the movement of suspected militants, killing two in an ensuing gunfight.
The military said weapons and ammunition were recovered from those killed in both operations.
“Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other India-sponsored terrorist found in the area,” the ISPR statement said.
It added that counterterrorism operations would continue under the government’s Azm-e-Istehkam initiative, which aims to strengthen efforts against militancy and security threats across Pakistan.
President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces for the operations, commending their professionalism and commitment to combating militancy.
In a statement posted on X, the president said attempts by militant groups and their alleged foreign backers to destabilise Pakistan would be resisted.
“Conspiracies of terrorists’ foreign patrons and their local facilitators will be thwarted,” he said. “The nation stands shoulder to shoulder with its security forces and law enforcement agencies.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also paid tribute to the security personnel involved in the operations.
According to the Associated Press of Pakistan, the prime minister said militants attempting to disrupt peace and security in the country would “never succeed in their nefarious designs”.
The military said further security operations were underway in the affected areas to identify and eliminate any remaining militant presence.