33 terrorists killed by security forces

F.P. Report RAWALPINDI: At least 33 Indian-sponsored terrorists have been killed in different areas of Balochistan since September 21. According to the military's media wing, this was a sequel to a comprehensive counter-terrorism operation by security forces against Indian-backed Fitna Al Khawarij and Fitna Al Hindustan in the province. On September 24, in continuation of 'Operation Shaban', the security forces busted additional terrorist hideouts, and after an intense fire exchange, five Indian sponsored Khwarij were killed making a total of 22 khwarij killed so far. Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the terrorists' locations. Clearance operation will continue till complete neutralisation of threat from the area, said the ISPR. In another engagement on September 25 2026, an intelligence-based operation was conducted in Nushki district, read the statement. 'During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged terrorists hideout and after an intense fire exchange, 11 terrorist were sent to hell,' it added The military's media wing vowed that relentless counter terrorism campaign under vision 'Azm e Istehkam' by the security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country. Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in cross-border terrorist incidents, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021. Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent its territory from being used by militant organisations to carry out attacks inside Pakistan. Pakistan maintains that the Afghan Taliban authorities have failed to take effective action against groups responsible for attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians, a position Kabul has disputed. Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq in February 2026, months after the two countries agreed to a ceasefire in October 2025 following clashes along several border points. Despite multiple rounds of talks, Islamabad and Kabul have yet to resolve their differences, with the issue of militant groups operating from Afghan soil remaining a major point of contention between the two sides. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the security forces for carrying out successful operations against Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan in Balochistan. The prime minister commended the security forces for eliminating 33 Indian-sponsored Khawarij/terrorists in Operation Shaban since September 21. In a statement issued by the PM Office, the prime minister also lauded the professional capabilities of the security forces for recovering arms, ammunition and explosives from the terrorists' hideouts. 'The operations of the security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue with full force until the complete elimination of terrorism,' he said.