Pakistani Army Announces Death of 71 Militants in 'Balochistan'

Islamabad, September 27 (KUNA) -- The Pakistani military announced on Sunday that 71 militants were killed in security operations in the southwestern province of Balochistan over the past four days. In a statement, the military’s Public Relations Directorate said that the continued involvement of foreign systems in terrorist activities within Pakistan “continues to cause loss of life and threatens peace and stability.” The statement said that, based on intelligence information, security forces launched operations against several militant hideouts in the Shaban area of Quetta province, as well as in the Ziarat area and its surroundings. It added that this led to clashes between security forces and militants in Shaban, resulting in intense exchanges of fire that killed 33 militants and led to the seizure of weapons, ammunition, and explosives at the hideouts that were secured. The statement clarified that “as the Pakistani military’s operation continues, more than 70 militants have been killed so far in the Shaban operation and other areas of Balochistan province over the past 96 hours.” It reaffirmed the commitment of security forces and law enforcement agencies to eradicate “foreign-backed terrorism.” These security operations come as Pakistan witnesses an escalation in terrorist attacks, particularly in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which border Afghanistan. (End) S.B.K / F.S