QUETTA: Security forces killed four foreign sponsored terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Kalat district, while an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Gwadar district killed an army major, the military said on Monday.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said intelligence agencies had reported the presence of several hideouts belonging to what it described as Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Hindustan militants in Jattakabad in Kalat district and Shadi Kaur in Pasni tehsil of Gwadar district.
The military said the hideouts posed a threat to the local population, prompting security forces to launch operations to eliminate the militants and secure the areas.
On October 18, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Jattakabad, where troops engaged terrorists associated with Fitna al Hindustan at their location. Four terrorists were killed following an intense exchange of fire, the ISPR said.
Security forces also recovered a large quantity of weapons and ammunition during the operation, it added.
In a separate development, security forces conducted a series of clearance operations in Shadi Kaur, Pasni tehsil, Gwadar district, to eliminate terrorists operating in the area.
During one of the operations, an IED struck a security forces team led by Major Wajahat Waheed, martyring the 34-year-old officer, according to the military.
Major Waheed, who hailed from Lahore, was martyred while performing his duties, the ISPR said.
The military did not provide further details about the circumstances of the blast or whether other personnel were injured.
The ISPR said security forces would continue clearance and sanitisation operations to eliminate any other militants found in the area.
It added that counterterrorism operations would continue at full pace under the Azm-e-Istehkam framework, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan.
The military reiterated its commitment to combating what it described as foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism across the country.
Prime Minister Pays Tribute to Security Forces, Martyred Major
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised security forces for killing the four militants in the operations in Kalat and Gwadar and expressed deep sorrow over Major Waheed’s death.
The prime minister said the officer had sacrificed his life in defence of the country and that the nation was proud of its brave son. He also offered condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the elevation of the martyr’s ranks.
President Asif Ali Zardari also commended security forces for their operations against militants and paid tribute to Major Waheed for his sacrifice.
Zardari said attempts by foreign sponsors of terrorism and their local facilitators to destabilise the country would be thwarted.
The ISPR said clearance operations would continue to eliminate any remaining militants in the area.
It reaffirmed the military’s resolve to maintain operations against what it described as foreign-sponsored terrorism under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam, approved by the Federal Apex Committee.
