Security forces have killed five terrorists during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Kohlu district of Balochistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday.
According to the military’s media wing, the operation was carried out on December 25 after intelligence reports indicated the presence of militants linked to an Indian-sponsored proxy group, described by Islamabad as Fitna al Hindustan — a reference used for the proscribed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
The ISPR said security forces effectively engaged the terrorists’ hideout, resulting in an intense exchange of fire in which five terrorists were killed. A cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was also recovered during the operation.
The statement added that the killed terrorists were involved in multiple terrorist activities in the area. Sanitisation operations are ongoing to ensure the complete clearance of the region.
The Kohlu operation follows another intelligence-based operation conducted a day earlier in Kalat district. On December 24, security forces killed eight terrorists during an exchange of fire after engaging a militant hideout linked to the same Indian-sponsored network, according to ISPR. Weapons and explosives were recovered in that operation as well.
Earlier this month, 12 terrorists were also killed in a separate intelligence-based operation in Kalat, the military said.
The ISPR stated that these operations are part of Pakistan’s broader counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam”, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, aimed at dismantling foreign-sponsored militant networks operating inside the country.
The operations come amid the release of a comprehensive counter-terrorism report by the Balochistan Home Department, which highlights the scale of security efforts across the province over the past year. According to the report:
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78,000 intelligence-based operations were conducted in Balochistan
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707 terrorists were killed during these operations
