ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces killed 10 militants in the southwestern Balochistan province on Wednesday, said the military’s media wing, in an operation carried out to “apprehend externally sponsored enemies of peace” in the area.
Balochistan has witnessed low-intensity insurgency by separatist groups for decades, with the government launching full-scale military operations as well as targeted interventions to quell it.
Earlier this month, militants targeted security forces at two different locations in the province. After hours of fighting, the Frontier Corps (FC) personnel neutralized the attacks and killed about 20 members of a separatist faction in a clearance operation.
“On 23 February 2022, based on information of the presence of terrorists’ camp and hideout in a general area in Hoshab, Balochistan, security forces conducted an operation to apprehend externally sponsored enemies of peace in Balochistan,” said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in its official statement.
“Ten terrorists, including terrorist commander Master Asif alias Mukesh, were killed in an exchange of fire,” it continued, adding that those targeted were involved in recent attacks on security forces in Turbat and Pasni areas.
The ISPR said that militants opened indiscriminate fire when their hideouts were cordoned off by troops.
A huge cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered from them, the statement added, which they were planning to use against security forces.
“Operations to eliminate perpetrators of terrorist acts will continue and they will not be allowed to sabotage peace, stability and progress of Balochistan,” said the ISPR.
