ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s security forces killed more than 14 militants allegedly linked to India and destroyed several hideouts during an operation in the restive southwestern province of Balochistan, state media reported on Saturday.
The operation was carried out in the Zehri area of Khuzdar district, where security forces foiled an attempt by militants to intimidate local residents, according to the country’s official news channel.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but poorest province, has long been plagued by an insurgency that has intensified in recent months, with separatist militants increasingly targeting security personnel, government officials, infrastructure and non-local residents.
“More than 14 terrorists linked to the so-called ‘Fitna-e-Hindustan’ were killed and over 20 injured in the Khuzdar operation,” Pakistan Television (PTV) said in a post on Instagram.
“Security forces remain fully prepared to eliminate these India-backed terrorists to ensure public safety,” it added.
In recent months, Islamabad has repeatedly accused India of backing militant groups to foment insurgencies in Pakistan, an allegation New Delhi denies.
Balochistan is strategically significant for its vast mineral wealth and as a transit hub for the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Yet, the province has long been gripped by separatist violence, with groups such as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) intensifying attacks in recent years.
These groups demand independence for the province, accusing the central government of exploiting the province’s natural resources, a charge Islamabad denies.
Balochistan has also witnessed a string of high-profile attacks since the beginning of the year. In March, the BLA hijacked a passenger train, and in May, a suicide bombing in Khuzdar killed several children after targeting their school bus.
Security forces, civilians and non-local workers are frequently targeted by separatist groups in the region, though authorities have mainly relied on intelligence-based operations rather than launching a full-scale military campaign.
