Army says operations in Harnai and Basima targeted Indian-backed groups as ‘Ghazab Lil Haq’ enters ninth day.
Pakistani security forces killed at least 15 terrorists linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) in two separate intelligence-based operations in Balochistan on Thursday, March 5, 2025, the army said on Saturday.
In a statement, the army’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said that an intelligence-based operation (IBO) was carried out in Harnai district following reports of the presence of “Khwarij ex Fitna al Khwarij”.
During the operation, troops effectively attacked the Khwarij hideout and after an intense exchange of fire, “twelve Indian-sponsored Khwarij were sent to hell,” the statement said.
Pakistani authorities use the term “Fitna al Khwarij” for TTP terrorists and “Fitna al Hindustan” for BLA terrorists.
Another intelligence operation was carried out in Basima district. During the operation, security forces traced the presence of terrorists belonging to “Fitna al Hindustan” and attacked them using weapons of various calibres.
“After an intense exchange of fire, three Indian-sponsored terrorists were sent to hell,” the ISPR said.
Weapons, ammunition and explosives were recovered from the slain Khwarij and the terrorists, who, according to the army, had been actively involved in numerous terrorist activities.
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Clearance operations were continuing to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists in the area, the statement added.
The army said that “the relentless anti-terror campaign under the ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ vision (approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Pakistan’s security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue at full pace to eliminate the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.”
Meanwhile, Operation ‘Ghazab Lil Haq’ entered its ninth consecutive day on Saturday, with security forces continuing ground and air operations against the Afghan Taliban and “Fitna al Khwarij.”
The sources said the military continues to carry out effective ground and air actions, adding that the military strategy has inflicted heavy losses on Afghan Taliban operatives and forced them to retreat during the ongoing campaign.
As of Friday, security sources said 527 Afghan Taliban regime operatives had been killed since the operation began, while more than 755 had been wounded. They added that 237 checkpoints were also destroyed during the campaign.
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President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to security forces for their successful operations against terrorists in Balochistan. He said the killing of 15 Indian-sponsored terrorists during intelligence operations in Harnai and Basima reflected the professionalism and determination of the security forces.
“Eliminating foreign-backed terrorism from the country remains our top priority,” the president said.
He added that the entire nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in their unwavering determination to defend the homeland.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also paid tribute to security forces for killing 15 terrorists in Balochistan.
The prime minister said security forces were achieving great successes in the fight against terrorism under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam. He said the entire nation supported the armed forces in the war against terrorism.
“We are determined to completely eradicate terrorism from the country,” the prime minister said.
