Pakistan's Military Launches Raids in Southwest, Killing Dozens of Fighters Linked to India.
In a series of operations carried out in Pakistan's southwest region on Thursday, security forces killed at least 41 armed fighters in two separate raids. The Pakistani military claimed the slain fighters were linked to their regional rival and neighbor, India.
According to official reports, 30 fighters were killed in an operation conducted in Balochistan's Harnai district, while another 11 fighters belonging to the Fitna-al-Hindustan group - which is believed to be affiliated with the Pakistan Taliban (TTP) - were eliminated in a separate raid in Panjgur district.
In both operations, security forces recovered ammunition and money allegedly looted during a bank robbery in December. The military also stated that "sanitisation operations" were underway in both districts to eliminate any remaining fighters.
The Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari described the operation as reflecting the state's unwavering resolve, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed solidarity with the armed forces in their fight against terrorism.
However, despite the military's claims, there is no concrete evidence provided to support the alleged Indian link to the slain fighters. The incident has raised concerns about Pakistan's ongoing efforts to combat Baloch separatist groups and allegations of India's involvement in regional militancy.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in violence in recent months, largely attributed to the activities of banned groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army and the TTP. In January, security forces killed 12 armed fighters accused of planning a hostage attack in Kharan district, with similar claims of Indian backing also made in that incident.
The situation in Pakistan's southwest remains volatile, with concerns over the country's efforts to combat regional militancy while ensuring the rights and autonomy of its autonomous regions.
In a series of operations carried out in Pakistan's southwest region on Thursday, security forces killed at least 41 armed fighters in two separate raids. The Pakistani military claimed the slain fighters were linked to their regional rival and neighbor, India.
According to official reports, 30 fighters were killed in an operation conducted in Balochistan's Harnai district, while another 11 fighters belonging to the Fitna-al-Hindustan group - which is believed to be affiliated with the Pakistan Taliban (TTP) - were eliminated in a separate raid in Panjgur district.
In both operations, security forces recovered ammunition and money allegedly looted during a bank robbery in December. The military also stated that "sanitisation operations" were underway in both districts to eliminate any remaining fighters.
The Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari described the operation as reflecting the state's unwavering resolve, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed solidarity with the armed forces in their fight against terrorism.
However, despite the military's claims, there is no concrete evidence provided to support the alleged Indian link to the slain fighters. The incident has raised concerns about Pakistan's ongoing efforts to combat Baloch separatist groups and allegations of India's involvement in regional militancy.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in violence in recent months, largely attributed to the activities of banned groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army and the TTP. In January, security forces killed 12 armed fighters accused of planning a hostage attack in Kharan district, with similar claims of Indian backing also made in that incident.
The situation in Pakistan's southwest remains volatile, with concerns over the country's efforts to combat regional militancy while ensuring the rights and autonomy of its autonomous regions.