ISLAMABAD: Security forces on Sunday killed three militants in an intelligence-based operation in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, the military said.
The operation was conducted in Balochistan’s Panjgur district on reported presence of “Indian-sponsored militants,” according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.
Three militants, including their local commander, were killed in an exchange of fire during the operation, with security personnel recovering weapons, ammunition and explosives from the scene.
“Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored terrorist found in the area,” the ISPR said in a statement.
There was no immediate response from India to the statement.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by land area bordering Iran and Afghanistan, has long been the site of a low-level insurgency involving Baloch separatist groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF).
Pakistan accuses India of supporting these separatist militant groups and describes them as “Fitna Al-Hindustan.” New Delhi denies the allegation.
Earlier this week, Pakistan’s counterterrorism police said they had killed five militants, who were planning to block the Quetta–Sibi highway and target security forces.
Officials found seven hand grenades, five sub-machine guns with live rounds and three motorcycles from the scene, according to a CTD statement.
“Search and combing operations are underway to apprehend the fleeing terrorists and dismantle the remaining network,” it read.
