Pakistani security forces have killed 15 individuals described as “India-backed terrorists” during multiple intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in the southwestern province of Balochistan, the military’s media wing announced on Saturday The operations took place in the districts of Harnai and Basima amid ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the strategically important region
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said an intense engagement during an IBO in Harnai resulted in the deaths of 12 alleged terrorists belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) A separate operation in Basima killed three other militants, who were described by the ISPR as belonging to “Fitna al-Hindustan” Security forces also recovered weapons, ammunition, and explosives from the sites These operations underscore the persistent security challenges in Balochistan, a vast, resource-rich province bordering Afghanistan and Iran.
For years, the province has been the site of a complex conflict involving various armed groups, including a long-running ethnic Baloch separatist insurgency. While this specific operation was linked to the TTP, Islamabad has persistently accused New Delhi of fomenting broader instability in Balochistan to undermine Pakistani security and disrupt projects like the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). These allegations are a frequent point of contention in the fraught relationship between the two nuclear-armed rivals.
India has consistently denied Pakistan’s claims, asserting they are intended to deflect from Pakistan's own internal security issues. The latest accusations from the ISPR are likely to further strain diplomatic ties between the two South Asian powers. Pakistani officials have stated that security operations will continue in the region to eliminate remaining threats
Mohsin Rana
