At least five terrorists affiliated with the India-sponsored group “Fitna al Hindustan” were eliminated in two separate operations conducted by Pakistani security forces in Balochistan, according to a statement released on Thursday by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The first intelligence-based operation (IBO) took place in Loralai district on May 28, where security personnel engaged terrorists at a reported hideout. Following a fierce exchange of fire, four militants were killed. Security forces also recovered a cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives from the location.
The eliminated individuals were reportedly involved in multiple acts of terrorism, including deadly attacks on the N-70 highway near Rarasham on August 26, 2024, and February 18, 2025, which claimed the lives of 30 innocent civilians. The group was considered a high-priority target by law enforcement agencies.
In a separate encounter in Kech district, another terrorist linked to the same group was killed.
The ISPR reiterated the unwavering commitment of Pakistan’s security forces to eradicate India-sponsored terrorism and pledged to bring all perpetrators and their facilitators to justice.
Pakistan has experienced a rise in terrorist incidents since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, with the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan bearing the brunt of the violence.
However, the first quarter of 2025 showed some improvement in the country’s security environment. According to a report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), fatalities among militants and insurgents outnumbered those of civilians and security personnel, and overall violence dropped by nearly 13% compared to the last quarter of 2024.
Despite these encouraging indicators, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan remain the most affected areas, accounting for 98% of all fatalities. Attacks have grown increasingly audacious, including incidents like the hijacking of the Jaffar Express.
If the current trend continues, projections suggest that the total number of fatalities could exceed 3,600 by the end of 2025, potentially making it one of the deadliest years in Pakistan’s recent history.
Balochistan alone accounted for 35% of all recorded deaths during the period under review, marking a 15% rise in violence compared to the previous quarter.
