The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said eight terrorists were killed when an “under preparation” vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) detonated.
“An under preparation Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) detonated while being prepared by terrorists affiliated with Fitna Al Hindustan in Surab District of Balochistan.”
The state has designated Balochistan-based terrorist groups as Fitna-al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.
“The premature detonation during preparation resulted in the confirmed killing of eight terrorists, with multiple others injured,” the ISPR added.
The military’s media wing further said the blast, along with a “secondary detonation of other explosives stored there”, also resulted in the deaths of three civilians.
Following the explosion, a contingent of security forces and police reached the incident site and “launched a comprehensive joint clearance operation to track down the perpetrators and facilitators”.
Elaborating further, the military said security forces “proactively detected the movement of fleeing terrorists, effectively engaging and neutralising ten more”.
“In total eighteen terrorists affilated with Fitna Al Hindustan have been eliminated in these incidents so far,” said the ISPR, adding that during the exchange of fire, two soldiers were injured.
“Sanitisation operations continue in the area to eliminate any remaining terrorists.”
“The 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 the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” concluded the ISPR.