Two operations in Balochistan kill 17 militants and one soldier
The Pakistani army said two separate intelligence-led operations in Kachhi and Kharan districts of Balochistan killed 17 militants; one soldier was also killed, and weapons and ammunition were recovered.
Islamabad — The Pakistani army said two separate intelligence-led operations in the Kachhi and Kharan districts of Balochistan province killed 17 militants, while one soldier was killed in an exchange of fire.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the first operation was carried out based on information about the presence of members of two groups referred to by the names 'Fitna Hindustan' and 'Fitna al-Khawarij'. It added that ten of them were killed in the Sani area of Kachhi district after their attempt to set up a roadblock on the road was foiled.
It said the second operation was a raid on a hideout in Kharan that resulted in seven others being killed, noting that the clashes also left one soldier dead during one of the operations.
The army said the deceased soldier is Hikmatullah, 25 years old, from the Karak area, and that security forces found weapons and ammunition at the two operation sites, while sweep operations continue to pursue other armed elements.
The ISPR statement said these operations are part of a campaign called 'Azm al-Istihkam', which was approved by the Higher Federal Committee within the framework of the National Action Plan, and that counterterrorism operations will continue under this plan.
