Pakistani forces end operation in Balochistan, kill 216 terrorists

The Pakistani military has completed a week-long security operation in the restive Balochistan province. They claim that 216 terrorists were killed in this targeted operation.

In a statement released on Thursday (February 5), the military said that the separatist organization Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) launched attacks across the province with the aim of “destabilizing Balochistan”. In response, the security forces launched “Operation Radd-ul-Fitna-1” (Prevention of Anarchy). The aim of this operation was to “destroy terrorist sleeper cells” based on “specific intelligence information”.

The operation was launched on January 29 in response to several coordinated attacks by the BLA. The organization claimed that in one of the biggest operations in its history, they attacked schools, banks, markets and military installations in the region.

The military claimed that 216 terrorists were killed during the operation. The statement also said that the operation had “significantly disrupted the leadership, command and control structures and operational capabilities of terrorist networks.”

The statement added that “a large amount of weapons, ammunition, explosives and equipment of foreign origin” had been recovered. Initial analysis showed that the terrorists had “systematically received foreign assistance and logistical support.”

The military said that 36 civilians, including women and children, and 22 members of the security and law enforcement forces also lost their lives during the operation.

Source: Al Jazeera