Pakistani military conducts operation in Balochistan, killing 41 armed fighters

Pakistani Security Forces Conduct Raids in Southwest Region, Claim Link to India

Pakistan’s security forces have carried out raids in the southwestern region of Balochistan, resulting in the deaths of at least 41 armed fighters. According to a statement released by the military on Friday, the encounters took place in the province of Balochistan, which shares a border with Afghanistan.

The military stated that the fighters involved were affiliated with Fitna-al-Khawarij, a group also known as the Pakistan Taliban (TTP), which is allied with Afghanistan’s Taliban. In two separate operations, 30 and 11 fighters were killed in the Harnai and Panjgur districts, respectively.

The military claimed that the fighters involved in the second raid belonged to Fitna-al-Hindustan, a group allegedly backed by India. Ammunition and money recovered from a bank robbery in December were also found among the fighters killed in the second operation.

No soldiers were reported injured during the raids. The Pakistani government has been conducting “sanitisation operations” in both districts to eliminate any remaining fighters. Indian officials have yet to comment on the allegations made by the Pakistani military.

Pakistan has experienced a surge in violence in recent months, largely attributed to Baloch separatist groups such as the banned Balochistan Liberation Army and the TTP. In January, security forces killed 12 armed fighters accused of planning a hostage attack in Kharan district, with the military also claiming they were backed by India.

Source: Al Jazeera