As diplomatic efforts continue in Istanbul to break the deadlock between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, security forces in Balochistan have killed at least 14 terrorists during a major intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Chiltan mountain range, security officials said on Tuesday.
According to official sources, the operation was launched after credible intelligence revealed the presence and movement of 15 to 20 terrorists in the area. The first strike killed eight militants, while a subsequent engagement neutralized another six. Security officials described the operation as part of Pakistan’s broader counterterrorism campaign aimed at eliminating threats emanating from across the border.
Authorities believe the slain terrorists were linked to proscribed outfits operating from Afghan territory. Their presence in the area underscores Pakistan’s long-standing concern over the use of Afghan soil by non-state actors involved in cross-border terrorism.
The development comes amid Islamabad’s mounting frustration over the Taliban regime’s repeated denials of harboring anti-Pakistan groups. Despite Pakistan’s provision of evidence of cross-border infiltration, the Taliban leadership continues to claim that its soil is not being used against any neighboring country.
Officials say the operation reflects Pakistan’s resolve to secure its borders and eliminate terrorist networks as regional diplomatic efforts continue in Istanbul, where Turkish officials are mediating to bridge differences between Islamabad and Kabul.
