RAWALPINDI: Security forces on Friday conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Balochistan’s Awaran district, killing one terrorist, the military said in a statement.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) – the military media wing, the operation was performed on a credible lead with regards to the presence of a hideout of terrorists involved in recent IED attacks in the area.
On 24th Feb 2023, Security Forces conducted an Intelligence Based Operation (IBO) in District Awaran, #Balochistan on a terrorist hide out, terrorists were involved in recent IED attacks. A heli borne Force was used to sanitise the area#PakistanArmy #FC #Pakistan #ISPR
1/2 pic.twitter.com/iO0s7QVw1s— Pakistan Armed Forces 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) February 24, 2023
It said that a heliborne force was used to sanitise the area which surprised the terrorists. “While one terrorist was sent to hell during the ensuing operation in exchange of fire, a large cache of weapons and ammunition has also been seized,” the statement read.
2/2
While one terrorist was eliminated during the ensuing operation in exchange of fire, a large cache of weapons and ammunition also been recovered#ISPR— Pakistan Armed Forces 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) February 24, 2023
The security forces will continue to thwart any attempt by inimical elements to disrupt hard-earned peace in the province, it added.
A day earlier, the security forces killed eight terrorists in a follow-up operation launched after foiling an ambush on convoy of security forces in Kech District, Balochistan.
According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release on Thursday, the terrorists on the evening of Wednesday (Feb 22), attempted to ambush a convoy of security forces in Kech District.
The alert and combat-ready troops foiled the cowardly attempt without any loss of life and then immediately commenced a follow-up operation to hunt down the fleeing terrorists, using ground and aviation assets.
Resultantly, on Thursday morning a suspected hideout of the terrorists was identified in Mazaaband Range where a sanitisation operation was launched. In the ensuing exchange of fire, eight terrorists were killed with a large cache of arms and ammunition, including explosives, recovered.
“The security forces of Pakistan will continue to thwart such attempts by inimical elements, on the behest of hostile intelligence agencies, to disrupt the hard-earned peace in the province,” the ISPR said.
The development comes amid a surge in terrorist activities in the country, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, since the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with the government in November.
On February 10, two Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred after an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded in Balochsitan’s Kohlu area.
Pakistan’s security forces have conducted numerous operations across the country in the past three months, arresting terrorists and their facilitators and foiling several attacks.
In Balochistan alone, 3,414 operations were conducted, including 2,980 area domination operations, 67 intelligence-based operations, and 367 area sanitisation operations. During these operations, security forces arrested 112 terrorists and killed 40 others.
The successful operation in Awaran district is yet another testament to Pakistan’s security forces’ unwavering commitment to ensuring peace and stability in the country.
The government and people of Pakistan continue to stand behind their security forces in their fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
