https://arab.news/gh6st
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the Kingdom’s foreign ministry said on Monday.
During the call, they reviewed the strong Saudi-Pakistani relations and ways to support and enhance them.
They also discussed the most important regional and international issues of common concern, and aspects of intensifying joint efforts that would enhance international peace and security.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military media wing said on Wednesday that security forces had gunned down eight militants in the southwestern Balochistan province, vowing to eliminate militancy from the country.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said security forces carried out an intelligence-based operation in Balochistan’s Kalat district on Dec. 24 on the reported presence of “terrorists belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna al Hindustan.”
“During the conduct of operation, own forces effectively engaged the terrorists’ location, and after an intense fire exchange, eight Indian sponsored terrorists were sent to hell,” the ISPR said.
The military said weapons, ammunition and explosives were recovered from the slain militants, adding that they were actively involved in “numerous terrorist activities.”
“Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the military’s media wing said.
Pakistan’s military and government frequently accuse India of supporting militant activities in its western provinces bordering Afghanistan, including Balochistan.
India denies the allegations and accuses Pakistan of supporting militant groups in the part of the Himalayan territory of Kashmir that New Delhi administers.
Balochistan has been the site of a low-level insurgency for decades now, where ethnic Baloch militant groups demand independence from Pakistan. These militant groups accuse Islamabad of denying locals a share in Balochistan’s mineral wealth, charges the military and government deny.
Islamabad has also accused Afghanistan of sheltering militants and facilitating attacks that take place on its soil. Kabul denies these allegations and says it cannot be held responsible for security lapses in Pakistan.
