Security forces thwarted a coordinated assault by the India-backed terrorists in Kharan city on January 15 after armed militants carried out multiple attacks targeting key public and financial institutions, officials said.
According to security sources, an estimated group of fifteen to twenty terrorists entered Kharan city and launched near simultaneous attacks on the city police station, the National Bank of Pakistan, and Habib Bank Limited. During the assaults on the banking facilities, the attackers looted approximately Rs 3.4 million in cash.
The attackers also attempted to escalate the situation by trying to create a hostage scenario at the city police station. This effort was disrupted when security forces responded swiftly and engaged the militants, forcing them to retreat from their initial positions.
Following the initial engagement, security forces launched a coordinated clearance operation across the affected areas. During three separate encounters, twelve terrorists were killed as forces pursued and neutralized the attackers attempting to flee or regroup.
Officials said the operation prevented further damage and casualties, effectively breaking the momentum of the assault and denying the attackers their objective of creating prolonged instability in the city.
Sanitization operations remain underway in and around Kharan to locate and eliminate any remaining militants who may have escaped during the clashes. Security officials stated that law enforcement agencies are maintaining heightened vigilance to ensure the area remains secure.
Authorities reaffirmed that counterterrorism operations will continue across the country as part of a sustained campaign aimed at dismantling networks involved in foreign sponsored militancy and preventing future attacks on civilian and state institutions.
