QUETTA: Pakistani security forces killed seven more suspected militants during the ongoing Operation Shaban after extending the intelligence-based aerial and ground offensive to Mastung district in southwestern Balochistan, security sources said on Thursday.
The latest operation raised the total number of militants killed since the launch of Operation Shaban against Indian-sponsored militants associated with Fitna al Hindustan and Fitna al KHawarij on July 5 following a deadly wave of coordinated attacks that killed dozens of police officers, soldiers, and civilians to 130, according to the sources.
Security forces launched a sanitisation operation in the Khad Kucha area of Mastung after receiving intelligence about the presence of militants.
The operation turned into a gun battle when the militants opened fire on the troops.
Three soldiers were martyred in the exchange of fire, while two others suffered injuries, the sources said.
The military identified the killed militants as members of Fitna al-Hindustan (FAH).
Security forces continued the operation as the militants used both light and heavy weapons. The military deployed an armed Bell helicopter from Khuzdar to provide close air support, while a Mi-17 helicopter remained on standby at Manguchar. Reinforcements from Khad Kucha and Aziz Post also moved to the area.
Pakistan launched Operation Shaban on July 5 following a series of coordinated attacks across Balochistan that killed dozens of police personnel, soldiers and civilians. The military says the operation targets militants linked to Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij, groups it accuses of receiving support from India.
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The operation has expanded from the Shaban area on the outskirts of Quetta to other districts as security forces continue intelligence-based raids to dismantle militant networks across the province.
