Pakistan’s security forces have eliminated eighteen militants allegedly connected to the Indian-sponsored group Fitna al Hindustan during two intelligence-led operations in Balochistan, the military’s media wing announced on Thursday. The separate missions took place on October 28 and 29.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported that the first engagement occurred in the general area of the Chiltan Mountains in Quetta District, prompted by intelligence on the presence of insurgents. ‘During the operation, own troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location, and after an intense exchange of fire, fourteen Indian-sponsored terrorists were sent to hell,’ the official statement detailed.

In a subsequent action in the Buleda area of Kech District, security personnel raided a known hideout, resulting in the neutralization of four more individuals. A significant cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was recovered from the slain militants following the raid.

According to the ISPR, the deceased individuals were implicated in orchestrating and executing several previous terrorist attacks inside Pakistan.

The military’s statement confirmed that sanitization and clearance operations are currently in progress in the respective areas to track down and eliminate any remaining threats.

The ISPR reaffirmed that the relentless counter-terrorism campaign, guided by the Azm-e-Istehkam vision and approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, will proceed at full pace to eradicate the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.