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ISLAMABAD: Security forces killed four “Indian-sponsored terrorists” in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province during an intelligence-based operation, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday. 

The intelligence-based operation was carried out in Kalat district on Saturday night on the reported presence of “terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Fitna al Hindustan,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said in a statement. 

Pakistan’s military regularly uses the term to describe separatist elements in Balochistan, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), that target law enforcement personnel in Balochistan. Pakistan accuses India of backing militants in Balochistan and its northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, a charge New Delhi denies. 

“During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location and resultantly, four Indian-sponsored terrorists were sent to hell,” the ISPR said. 

It added that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the slain “terrorists,” alleging that they were involved in “numerous terrorist activities.”

“A relentless counter-terrorism campaign, under vision “Azm e Istehkam” (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the ISPR said. 

In a separate statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded security forces for the successful counter-terror operation. 

“The fight against the monster of terrorism will continue until it is completely eradicated from the country,” Sharif said as per a statement from his office. “In our unwavering commitment to protect the homeland, the entire nation, including myself, stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Armed Forces.”

The development takes place as Pakistan grapples with surging militancy in the country’s KP and Balochistan provinces. The latter is Pakistan’s largest province by landmass and rich in mineral resources, and has long faced a low-level insurgency led by separatist groups such as the BLA, who accuse Islamabad of exploiting the province’s natural resources, such as gold and copper, while neglecting the local population.
 
Pakistani governments deny these allegations, saying that it has prioritized Balochistan’s development through investments in health, education and infrastructure projects.
 
The BLA has emerged as a significant security threat in recent years, carrying out major attacks in Balochistan and Sindh provinces while targeting security forces, ethnic Punjabis and Chinese nationals working on development projects.