Security forces kill 12 terrorists in Balochistan IBOs: ISPR

Security forces killed 12 terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan during intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in the Washuk and Mastung districts of Balochistan, the military’s media wing said on Thursday.

The federal government last year officially designated all terrorist groups operating in Balochistan as ‘Fitna al-Hindustan‘, accusing India of sponsoring a proxy war through these outfits.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), high-tempo intelligence-driven operations were conducted as part of the ongoing “Rad-ul-Fitna-3” campaign, which it described as a counterterrorism operation aimed at eliminating Indian proxies.

“On August 5, movement of six terrorists was picked up by the security forces in Washuk District. Own troops effectively engaged these terrorists. As a result of precise and skilful engagement, all six terrorists belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna-al Hindustan, were sent to hell,” it said.

It said another intelligence-based operation was carried out in Mastung district on August 6, where six more terrorists were killed during an exchange of fire. The military added that a terrorist hideout was also destroyed.

The ISPR said security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue operations under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” initiative, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, to eliminate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.

Terrorism is a growing problem for Pakistan, with the number of attacks rising every year since 2022, according to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), a global monitoring organisation. Data from ACLED shows attacks in Pakistan rose nearly fourfold to 2,425 in 2025 from 658 in 2022, and over the same period, TTP attacks increased more than sevenfold to 838 from 118.

Read More: 12 terrorists killed as forces fight off multiple attacks in Balochistan’s Kharan

Although Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has borne the brunt of terrorism, Balochistan has also remained a major target of Indian proxies, which often target civilians and military installations in the province.

In one such attack on the last day of 2025, terrorists targeted innocent civilians in Balochistan’s Gwadar and Kharan districts, where 18 people, including women, children, the elderly and labourers, embraced martyrdom.

The forces continued operations across the provinces against what the state describes as Indian-sponsored terrorists and their proxies, but despite these efforts, the groups have continued to target civilian and defence installations.

Earlier this month, at least 30 people, including 27 police personnel, were martyred when terrorists identified by the state as the Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan ambushed police personnel deployed in the Kach Mangi Phase III area of Ziarat, triggering hours-long gun battles. The attackers also abducted several civilians and police personnel after the assault.

In the aftermath of the attack, the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan Police launched a joint operation, which remains underway, with forces intensifying action against terrorists across the province.