Security forces have successfully thwarted an attempt by terrorists to disrupt the peaceful movement of citizens along the National Highway N-25 (Chaman–Karachi) in Balochistan and abduct passengers and other travellers, according to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The operation was conducted during the night of September 18–19 in the vicinity of Kalat, where terrorists had established an illegal checkpost on the highway with the apparent objective of stopping vehicles, abducting civilians for ransom, carrying out extortion and forcibly snatching vehicles.
According to ISPR, security forces responded promptly upon receiving information about the terrorist activity and launched an immediate operation to protect civilians and restore secure movement along the vital national artery.
An intense exchange of fire subsequently took place between the security forces and the terrorists. As a result of the successful operation, five terrorists were killed. ISPR identified them as members of Fitna al-Hindustan, which it described as an Indian-sponsored proxy.
The operation also resulted in the safe recovery of 23 abducted persons from a hideout used by the terrorists. Their recovery represents a significant success in preventing further harm to innocent civilians and foiling the terrorists’ reported plans to use the highway for abductions, ransom demands and other criminal activities.
Security forces also recovered a substantial quantity of arms and equipment from the terrorists’ hideout. The recovered items included:
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Six trucks
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Three buses
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Two cars
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A large quantity of weapons and ammunition
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Explosives and other material associated with terrorist activities
The recovery of the vehicles and weapons provides further evidence of the scale of the operation and the terrorists’ attempts to establish control over a section of the national highway and interfere with the movement of civilians and commercial traffic.
The timely action by security forces successfully prevented the terrorists from carrying out their reported plans and ensured the safe recovery of the abducted individuals. The operation also helped protect an important transportation corridor connecting major areas of Balochistan and facilitating the movement of passengers, commercial vehicles and goods between Chaman and Karachi.
Following the successful engagement, sanitization operations are continuing in the surrounding areas to locate and eliminate any remaining terrorists and to ensure that the area is fully secured. Security forces are also undertaking necessary measures to safeguard the local population and maintain the uninterrupted and secure use of the N-25 national highway.
The operation demonstrates the continued resolve of Pakistan’s security forces to protect civilians, secure vital national infrastructure and deny terrorist elements the space to disrupt public life and economic activity.
Security forces remain fully committed to maintaining peace and security in Balochistan and to taking effective action against terrorist elements seeking to threaten the lives and livelihoods of the people.
