Pakistan’s security forces carried out an intelligence-driven operation in Balochistan’s Kalat district, resulting in the death of four terrorists, according to a statement released on Sunday by the military’s media wing.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the operation was conducted on Saturday after receiving intelligence about the presence of militants linked to Fitna-al-Hindustan. The state uses this term for Balochistan-based militant groups to underscore alleged Indian involvement in terrorism and efforts to destabilise Pakistan.
The ISPR stated that troops successfully targeted the militants’ hideout, and following a fierce exchange of fire, four terrorists described as Indian-backed were neutralised. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the site, and the militants were reportedly involved in ongoing terrorist activities in the region.
The military added that clearance operations are underway to ensure no other militants remain in the area. It reaffirmed that Pakistan’s counter-terrorism drive under the framework of “Azm-i-Istehkam,” approved by the Federal Apex Committee as part of the National Action Plan, will continue without pause to eliminate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.
A map released by ISPR highlighted the location of the operation in Kalat on December 27.
President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces for the successful mission, stating that Pakistan’s fight against terrorism fuelled by external interference would persist, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan.
In a separate statement issued a day earlier, the ISPR reported that another intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Panjgur district resulted in the killing of four militants. That operation, launched on Friday, targeted members of Fitna-al-Khawarij, a term used for Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operatives.
According to the military, troops engaged the militants’ location, and after heavy gunfire, four Indian-backed Khawarij were killed. A follow-up clearance operation was also initiated to remove any remaining militants from the area.
Earlier this month, security forces eliminated 12 terrorists during another intelligence-based operation in Kalat.
Meanwhile, Pakistan was ranked second in the Global Terrorism Index 2025. The report noted a 45 per cent increase in terrorism-related fatalities compared to the previous year. Compiled by the Institute for Economics and Peace, the index analyses terrorism trends worldwide over the past 17 years.