Fitna al-Hindustan commander among three killed in Balochistan's Mastung: state media

Three terrorists, including the commander of the Fitna al-Hindustan group known as Naqeeb, were killed in an operation conducted by security forces in Balochistan's Mastung district, according to state media on Monday. The federal government had officially designated all terrorist groups operating in Balochistan as Fitna al-Hindustan the previous year, alleging India's involvement in sponsoring a proxy war through these groups.

Security forces utilized a quadcopter to target a vehicle carrying the terrorists, resulting in the death of all three and the destruction of their vehicle, as reported by Radio Pakistan and APP, citing security sources. The security forces reaffirmed their commitment to eliminating terrorism and pledged to continue operations until the last terrorist was eliminated.

In August, security forces, in coordination with the police, eliminated 49 terrorists through intelligence-based operations across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, resulting in the destruction of weapons, explosives, and remote-detonation equipment. Terrorism remains a growing concern in Pakistan, with attacks increasing annually since 2022, as reported by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) organization.

While Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has experienced the majority of the attacks, Balochistan has also been a significant target for Indian proxies, who frequently target civilians and military installations in the region. Recent attacks, such as the one in Balochistan's Gwadar and Kharan districts that claimed the lives of 18 people, including women, children, the elderly, and laborers, highlight the persistent threat posed by Indian-backed terrorists.

Despite ongoing security efforts, these groups continue to target civilian and defense installations, as evidenced by the recent ambush of police personnel in Ziarat, resulting in the deaths of 30 individuals, including 27 police personnel. In response, the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, and Balochistan Police have launched a joint operation to combat terrorism in the province.