Eighteen terrorists were killed in a premature vehicle-borne explosive blast and a subsequent Balochistan security operation, the Inter-Services Public Relations said on Wednesday.
According to ISPR, a vehicle carrying explosives detonated prematurely on August 12 while terrorists were preparing it in Balochistan’s Surab district. The initial blast killed eight terrorists, while several others were injured.
The military’s media wing said the blast also triggered a secondary explosion involving explosives stored at the location. According to the statement, three nearby civilians were also killed in the incident.
Following the explosion, security forces and Balochistan Police launched a joint clearance operation to locate the remaining militants and their facilitators. During the operation, security personnel detected terrorists attempting to flee the area.
ISPR said security forces engaged the fleeing suspects and killed 10 more terrorists. The latest casualties brought the total number of militants killed in the incident to 18. Two soldiers were also injured during an exchange of fire.
Sanitisation operations were continuing in the area to ensure that no remaining militants or threats were present. ISPR said counter-terrorism efforts would continue under the government’s Azm-e-Istehkam framework.
The latest Balochistan security operation comes amid continued militant violence in the province. ISPR said security forces had also killed five terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in Panjgur a day earlier, highlighting ongoing efforts to counter militant activity.
