23 abductees rescued, 6 terrorists killed in Kalat

Security forces foiled an attempt by terrorists to establish a check post for abducting people and snatching vehicles along the Pakistan Highway near Kalat, rescuing 23 abductees and killing six terrorists, the military's media wing said on Sunday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation was conducted during the night of Sept 18-19, when terrorists belonging to Fitna al Hindustan attempted to disrupt the movement of people along the Chaman-Karachi N-25 highway near Kalat. The terrorists were allegedly trying to establish a check post for abductions for ransom, extortion and vehicle snatching, the statement said. "Security Forces responded immediately, and after intense fire exchange, five terrorists belonging to Indian-sponsored proxy of Fitna al-Hindustan were sent to hell due to effective response by Armed Forces," the ISPR said. The federal government last year officially designated all terrorist groups operating in Balochistan as Fitna al-Hindustan, accusing India of sponsoring a proxy war through the outfits. Security forces also recovered 23 abductees from the terrorists' hideout, along with six trucks, three buses and two cars. A large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives was also recovered from the hideout, according to the statement. The ISPR said the successful operation had thwarted the "nefarious designs" of the Indian-sponsored proxy of Fitna al-Hindustan. "Sanitisation operations are continuing in the surrounding areas to eliminate any remaining terrorists and ensure the safety and security of the local population and the vital National Highways," it said. The military's media wing said the counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of "Azm-e-Istehkam", approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue "with full resolve".