Zardari, Shehbaz Hail Forces After Kalat Operation Success

News Desk

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday lauded the security forces for conducting a successful intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Balochistan’s Kalat district that killed four Indian-sponsored terrorists.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation—carried out on the night of November 1—targeted the hideout of militants linked to the group Fitna al-Hindustan. Security forces effectively engaged the terrorists, killing four and recovering weapons and ammunition from the site.

The slain terrorists were reportedly involved in multiple attacks targeting civilians and security personnel. A sanitisation operation is underway to clear the area of any remaining militants.

President Zardari, currently on an official visit to Qatar, praised the resolve and sacrifices of the armed forces, calling the operation a “great achievement for national security.” He reiterated that the continuation of Operation Azm-e-Istehkam was vital to completely eliminating anti-state elements.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed the president’s sentiments, reaffirming that Pakistan would persist with its counterterrorism campaign until the last terrorist is eliminated. “The entire nation stands with its armed forces in the mission to protect our homeland,” he said.

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The ISPR reiterated that Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, approved by the federal apex committee on the National Action Plan, will continue with full force to root out all forms of foreign-sponsored terrorism.

The latest operation follows similar engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where security forces recently killed three militants in North Waziristan and Tank.

Pakistan continues to face a surge in terrorist incidents—particularly in KP and Balochistan—since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent militant groups from using Afghan soil for cross-border attacks.

Following weeks of heightened tension, Pakistan and Afghanistan last week agreed in Istanbul to extend their ceasefire and set up a joint monitoring and verification mechanism. Further talks are scheduled for November 6 to finalise operational details.

4 Indian sponsored terrorists killed in IBO: ISPR

Earlier, security forces killed four Indian sponsored terrorists in intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Kalat District of Balochistan, on reported presence of terrorists belonging to Indian Proxy, Fitna al Hindustan.

“During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the terrorists location and resultantly, four Indian sponsored terrorists were sent to hell,” said a news release issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities, it further said.

“Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored terrorist found in the area as relentless counter terrorism campaign under vision “Azm e Istehkam” (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the news release said.