Four terrorists killed in intelligence-based operation in Kalat: ISPR

ISLAMABAD: Security forces killed four terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted in Balochistan’s Kalat district, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the operation was carried out on January 12 following intelligence reports about the presence of terrorists belonging to what it described as the Indian proxy group Fitna al Hindustan. The state has designated several Balochistan-based militant groups under this label to highlight what it alleges is India’s involvement in sponsoring terrorism and destabilisation efforts in Pakistan.

According to the ISPR, security forces effectively engaged the terrorists’ hideout during the operation. “After an intense fire exchange, four terrorists were killed,” the statement said, adding that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the site.

The military said the killed terrorists had been actively involved in multiple terrorist activities in the area. It further stated that sanitisation operations were ongoing to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored militants who might be present in the vicinity.

“The security forces of Pakistan, in coordination with law enforcement agencies, will continue their operations at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the ISPR added.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces for the successful operation. In a statement shared by state broadcaster PTV on social media platform X, the prime minister said the armed forces were achieving significant successes in their fight against terrorism under the ongoing counterterrorism campaign, Azm-e-Istehkam.

“The whole nation stands with Pakistan’s armed forces in the fight against terrorism,” the prime minister said, reaffirming the government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country.

Despite a high number of militant casualties in recent operations, Pakistan has witnessed a sharp escalation in militant violence over the past year. According to a report released by the Islamabad-based Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), terrorist attacks increased by 34 per cent in 2025 compared to the previous year, while terrorism-related fatalities rose by 21 per cent.

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Last week, Director General ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry provided details of counterterrorism efforts during a press conference, stating that law enforcement agencies — including the Pakistan Army, police, Federal Constabulary and intelligence agencies — conducted a total of 75,175 intelligence-based operations across the country in 2025.

Breaking down the figures, he said 14,658 operations were carried out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 58,778 in Balochistan and 1,739 in other parts of Pakistan. He added that a total of 5,397 terrorist incidents were recorded nationwide during the year, with 3,811 reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, accounting for 71 per cent, and 1,557 from Balochistan, or 29 per cent, while the remaining incidents occurred in other regions.

Security officials say operations will continue as part of sustained efforts to counter militancy and restore peace and stability across the country.