‘Fitna al-Hindustan Has No Link to Baloch Identity,’ Says ISPR as 54 Militants Killed in Four Days
Rawalpindi: Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said on Thursday that the group the military refers to as “Fitna al-Hindustan” has no connection with Baloch identity, adding that 54 militants have been killed during security operations in Balochistan over the past four days.
Addressing a press conference on the security situation in the province, the military spokesperson said three major terrorist incidents had taken place in Balochistan during the past four days. He alleged that militants linked to what the military describes as “Fitna al-Khawarij” and “Fitna al-Hindustan” were responsible for targeting innocent civilians.
The DG ISPR said the attackers were enemies of Pakistan’s peace, prosperity, and development. He further alleged that Afghan territory continues to be used for attacks against Pakistan and claimed that these militant activities are being supported by the Afghan Taliban administration.
Lieutenant General Chaudhry said another terrorist incident occurred near the Mangi Dam and the Quetta Pumping Station area. He praised the people of Balochistan and police personnel for their courage in confronting the attackers.
According to the ISPR, at least 15 militants were killed in Ziarat, while other attackers fled, allegedly leaving behind the bodies of 15 of their associates.
The military spokesperson also rejected the militants’ claims that they were fighting for Balochistan or Islam, stating that all police personnel martyred in the Ziarat attack were local residents and Muslims.
He said 18 police personnel embraced martyrdom during operations against the militants, while a total of 42 security personnel were martyred in the three major incidents over the past several days.
The DG ISPR added that 14 more militants were killed in two operations conducted on Thursday, bringing the total number of militants killed to 54 over the past four days.
He said security operations would continue until both the militants and their facilitators are completely eliminated. The figures and allegations presented during the briefing reflect the Pakistani military’s official account of the recent operations.
