Pakistan security forces kill 133 ‘Indian-backed terrorists’ in Balochistan operations

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces have killed 133 Indian-backed terrorists in operations across southwestern Balochistan over the past two days, officials said Saturday, successfully thwarting attacks targeting civilians, urban centers and key infrastructure.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, speaking at a joint press briefing in Quetta late Saturday, confirmed that security forces repelled coordinated assaults across Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni.

“The way the terrorists planned and carried out these attacks, and the way our police, our FCs, and our army confronted them, is itself a story,” Naqvi said. “The terrorists who came did not escape alive.”

“They [security forces] searched for them and killed them so they could not get away.”

Naqvi stressed that these were not ordinary terrorists.

“It should be clearly seen that at this time the main country behind terrorism is India, which is not only providing financial support to terrorists, but is also supporting them in their planning and their strategy,” he said. “We will go after each and every one involved, including their masters operating from outside Pakistan, and we will expose them to the world.”

According to the Pakistan military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), on Jan. 31, terrorists of Indian-sponsored “Fitna al Hindustan” attempted multiple attacks across the province.

Eighteen innocent civilians, including women, children, the elderly, and laborers, were killed in Gwadar and Kharan.

Security forces responded swiftly, engaging terrorists in prolonged and intense operations, and killed 92 terrorists, including three suicide bombers, ensuring the protection of local residents.

Earlier on Jan. 30, 41 terrorists of “Fitna al Hindustan and Fitna al Khwarij” were killed in Panjgur and Harnai, bringing the total number of terrorists neutralized in the last two days to 133.

Pakistan refers to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), an umbrella network of various armed groups, as “khawarij,” a term rooted in early Islamic history and used to describe an extremist sect that rebelled against legitimate authority and declared other Muslims to be apostates.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm stance against militancy. “This is not a so-called ‘struggle for rights.’ It is terrorism operating with external patronage, targeting both Pakistan and the people of Balochistan themselves,” he said.

Asif added that these groups are funded through organized crime, drug trafficking, extortion, and smuggling and recruit young people via social media.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for foiling coordinated attacks and neutralizing 133 terrorists.

“Our brave forces have neutralized leading terrorists backed by India in intelligence-based operations over the past 48 hours,” he said.

The prime minister also paid tribute to the 15 security personnel who embraced martyrdom, calling their sacrifice “an inspiration to the entire country.”

Security sources confirmed that militants targeted 18 civilians, while law enforcement successfully eliminated all Indian-backed operatives.

“Sanitization operations are ongoing, and instigators, facilitators, and abettors will be brought to justice,” the ISPR statement added. Intelligence reports confirm that the attacks were orchestrated and directed by terrorist ring leaders operating from outside Pakistan.

President Asif Ali Zardari echoed the praise, reaffirming the state’s commitment to safeguarding citizens and national unity. “Our resolve remains firm regarding peace in Balochistan,” he said.

The British High Commission in Islamabad condemned the attacks, stating: “Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives and all those affected. We stand with Pakistan in rejecting terrorism and in our shared commitment to peace and security.”

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the attacks, reaffirming support for Pakistan’s territorial integrity and security efforts while offering condolences to the victims’ families.

Türkiye, in a statement on its official X account, condemned the “heinous” attack and reiterated its support for Pakistan. “We will continue to stand by brotherly Pakistan in its fight against all forms of terrorism,” the statement said.

Qatar also condemned the attacks, expressing condolences to the victims’ families, the government, and the people of Pakistan. The statement reaffirmed Qatar’s rejection of violence, terrorism, and criminal acts in all forms and extended wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.

Officials emphasized that Pakistan’s counterterrorism campaign, under the national vision “Azm-e-Istehkam,” will continue at full pace until foreign-sponsored terrorism is completely eliminated from the country.