Security forces successfully eliminated seven militants sponsored by India during a sanitisation operation in Barkhan district of Balochistan, while five security personnel, including an army major, lost their lives, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced on Wednesday.
The operation was launched on the morning of May 13 in the Nosham area of Barkhan by personnel from the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps Balochistan. Their objective was to dismantle terrorist elements linked to the India-backed Fitna al-Hindustan group.
During the mission, troops encountered a terrorist group and engaged them in a firefight, resulting in the deaths of seven terrorists. Authorities recovered weapons, ammunition, and explosives from the deceased militants.
Tragically, five courageous security personnel, including a field officer, were martyred amid the intense exchange of fire. The fallen heroes have been identified as Major Tauseef Ahmed Bhatti, aged 31, from Pakpattan district; Naik Fida Hussain, 36, from Sukkur district; Sepoy Zakir Hussain, 32, from Skardu district; Sepoy Suhail Ahmed, 21, from Khanewal district; and Sepoy Muhammad Ayaz, 24, from Rahim Yar Khan district.
Security forces are continuing the operation to eliminate any remaining India-sponsored terrorists in the area. The military reaffirmed its commitment to the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign under the “Azm e Istehkam” initiative, endorsed by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan. This campaign aims to eradicate foreign-backed terrorism from Pakistan.
Notably, Pakistan has experienced a significant rise in cross-border terrorist attacks, especially in the bordering provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban assumed control of Afghanistan in 2021. Islamabad has persistently urged Kabul to prevent its territory from being used as a base for terrorist activities targeting Pakistan.
However, the Afghan Taliban regime has declined to take action against terror groups responsible for numerous attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians. In response, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq in February this year, several months after both countries agreed to a ceasefire in October 2025. The ceasefire followed clashes triggered by unprovoked gunfire from the Afghan Taliban at multiple border points.
Despite multiple rounds of dialogue, a lasting agreement remains elusive due to the Afghan Taliban regime’s unwillingness to curb terrorist outfits operating within its borders.
