ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday praised security forces after 10 terrorists were killed in an intelligence-based operation in the Shor Parod mountainous area of Balochistan’s Khuzdar district.
President Zardari said the timely action against multiple terrorist hideouts demonstrated the professional expertise of the security forces and called for the continued pursuit of anti-state terrorist elements until their complete elimination.
“The timely action against various hideouts of terrorists is proof of the professional expertise of the security forces,” the president said.
He also praised the sacrifices and resolve of security forces in thwarting the “nefarious designs” of Fitna Al-Hindustan.
The banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which Islamabad refers to as Fitna Al-Hindustan, has carried out terrorist attacks across Balochistan targeting civilians, security forces and vital infrastructure. Pakistani authorities say the group’s activities are aimed at undermining peace, stability and development in the province.
PM Sharif also lauded the successful operation, saying actions against “enemies of humanity” reflected the capabilities of Pakistan’s security forces.
“The successful operations against terrorists who are enemies of humanity are a manifestation of the expertise of our security forces,” the prime minister said.
He said the entire nation stood alongside security forces in the fight against terrorism and reaffirmed the government’s determination to eliminate terrorism from the country.
According to security sources, the operation was launched on the basis of credible intelligence regarding the presence of terrorists affiliated with Fitna Al-Hindustan in the area.
Security forces surrounded multiple terrorist hideouts where the terrorists were present in three separate groups, resulting in an intense exchange of fire, the sources said.
As a result, 10 terrorists were killed, while several others were injured.
Security forces subsequently intensified search and clearance operations to track down terrorists who managed to flee the area.
The operation is part of Pakistan’s wider counterterrorism campaign, with security forces continuing intelligence-based actions against terrorist networks and their facilitators.