Prime Minister, President praise the security forces, assure that the nation stands firm with the armed forces
At least 41 terrorists were killed in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBO) in Balochistan on Thursday, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said on Friday.
An IBO was conducted on the outskirts of Harnai District based on reports of “Indian sponsored Khawarij” presence nearby. According to the ISPR statement, an intense exchange of fire ensued between the security forces and the terrorists, leaving 30 of the latter dead. A large cache of ammunition and explosives was seized from the site and destroyed, the ISPR added.
Meanwhile, the security forces also raided a terrorist hideout in Panjgur district where 11 terrorists associated with “Fitna-e-Hindustan” were killed. Arms, ammunition and looted money from a bank robbery in Panjgur on December 15 were also recovered, the ISPR said, adding that the terrorists were also involved in several attacks in the past.
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Sweeping operations are underway to apprehend any remaining terrorists in the area. The ISPR said counter-terrorism under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” initiative, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, continues to be carried out by security forces and law enforcement agencies.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday praised Pakistan’s security forces for their successful operations in Harnai and Panjgur. “Under the vision of Azm-e-Istihkam, our security forces continue to achieve significant successes against terrorism,” he said. “The entire nation stands with the armed forces in this ongoing fight against terrorism.”
President Asif Ali Zardari also praised the security forces for their operations against terrorists in Balochistan and Bannu. “Effective action against groups like Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan reflects the unwavering resolve of the state,” the president said in a statement issued by the media wing of the presidency.
Terrorism Activities and IBOs
On January 25, security forces killed three terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in Panjgur district of Balochistan, the military had said. Arms, ammunition and explosives were recovered from the spot, adding that the terrorists had been involved in several attacks in the area. Security forces are continuing search and clearance operations in the region to ensure that no other terrorists remain, the statement said.
Earlier this month, Director General ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry presented a comprehensive review of terrorist activity in 2025, describing the year as historic and result-oriented in Pakistan’s counter-terrorism campaign.
In the past year, he said, an extraordinary number of IBOs were carried out across the country, reflecting both the scale of the threat and the state’s determination to confront it. “By 2025, complete harmony was achieved between the state of Pakistan and its people on the issue of terrorism.”
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Providing statistics, Lt Gen Sharif said that by 2025, law enforcement agencies conducted 75,175 IBOs nationwide – an average of 206 operations every day. Of these, he added, 14,658 operations were conducted in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), 58,778 in Balochistan and 1,739 in other parts of the country.
Despite these operations, Pakistan witnessed 5,397 terrorist incidents during the year. KP accounted for the highest number with 3,811 incidents, followed by Balochistan with 1,557 incidents. Only 29 incidents were reported from the rest of the country. A total of 2,597 terrorists were killed during the year, Lt Gen Sharif said.
Security forces killed three terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in Panjgur district of Balochistan, the military said. Arms, ammunition and explosives were recovered from the spot, adding that the terrorists had been involved in several attacks in the area. Security forces are continuing search and clearance operations in the region to ensure that no other terrorists remain, the statement said.
