Security forces eliminate five militants and free 23 hostages on Balochistan highway

On the night of Sept 18-19, security forces launched an operation along the N-25 Karachi-Chaman highway near Kalat, Balochistan, targeting militants linked to Fitna-al-Hindustan. After an intense exchange of fire, five terrorists were killed and 23 abductees were liberated from the militants' hideout. The operation also yielded six trucks, three buses, two cars and substantial stocks of arms, ammunition and explosives.

ISPR described the group as an India-sponsored proxy that had established a checkpoint to abduct, ransom and extort travelers. Sanitisation missions continue in surrounding locales to eliminate any residual elements. The incident follows a series of recent counter-terrorism actions in Balochistan, where attacks rose by seven percent from July to August, according to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies.