• ISPR says IBOs conducted in Mastung and Kharan districts.
• Sanitisation operations underway to clear remaining militants.
• Security forces neuterlised possible suicide bomber in Mastung.

ISLAMABAD: Security forces neutralised eight India-backed terrorists during intelligence-backed operations (IBO) in Balochistan’s Kharan and Mastung areas on June 25 and 26, a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday.

The IBO was carried out by the security in Balochistan’s Kharan after tracking the movement of a group of militants belonging to the Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan, the military’s media wing said, adding that troops engaged the militants in a timely and effective operation, killing three of them while injuring several others.

A separate IBO carried out the Mastung area on June 26 on the information regarding “possible presence of a suicide bomber”.

During the conduct of the operation, the military’s media wing said troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location, and after an intense fire exchange, five terrorists, including a suicide bomber, were successfully neutralised.

Subsequently, weapons, ammunition, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and motorcycles were recovered during the operation, according to the ISPR.

The ISPR said sanitisation operations were being conducted to eliminate any other India-sponsored terrorists found in the area.

The statement added that counterterrorism operations under the national security framework “Azm-e-Istehkam” would continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to security forces for their successful action against Fitna al-Hindustan, describing the killing of militants in the Kharan and Mastung districts as a reflection of their professionalism and determination.

He praised the courage, professionalism, and sacrifices of the officers and soldiers involved in the operations.

He stressed that operations should continue until the complete eradication of foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.

Reacting to the successful anti-terror operations, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif applauded security forces for carrying out successful operations against India-backed terrorists and destroying their nefarious plans designed against the country.

The premier, in a statement, said that the operation against terrorists would continue until their logical conclusion, adding that Pakistan’s fight would persist until the complete elimination of terrorism from the country.

PM Shehbaz also praised the sacrifices of the security forces and vowed to defeat the enemies of Pakistan’s peace on every front.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also lauded the security forces for conducting successful IBOs against India-sponsored militants in Balochistan, commending their professionalism and bravery.

In a statement, he said the timely and effective actions of the security forces foiled the militant plans.

Naqvi reaffirmed the country’s support for the security forces in the war against terrorism.