Security forces neutralised five terrorists belonging to the proscribed Fitna al-Hindustan during a “high-tempo, intelligence-driven operation” conducted in Balochistan’s Panjgur district, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday.

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 these outfits.

“In addition to neutralising the five hostile elements, operational teams recovered and destroyed a significant cache of weapons, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on site, followed immediately by sanitisation operations to clear any remaining threats in the area,” said a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

It added that the operation was executed as part of a “relentless, ongoing counter-terrorism campaign dedicated to eliminating Indian-sponsored proxies and restoring enduring peace in the region”, referring to Operation Shaban.

The ISPR further stated that the relentless counterterrorism campaign under the vision “Azm e Istehkam”, as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan, by security forces and law enforcement agencies would continue at “full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country”.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the security forces for the successful operation.

The premier said that security forces were achieving “remarkable successes” against terrorism.

“We are resolute to completely eradicate all forms of terrorism from the country,” he added.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also paid tribute to security forces for the successful operation.

Naqvi praised the professionalism and courage of the security forces for killing five terrorists, adding that the security forces took timely action and foiled their nefarious plans.

He further stated that the successful operations of the security forces against the enemies of peace in Balochistan were commendable and terrorists would not find any place to hide.

“The nation is united against terrorism and stands with the security forces,” Naqvi said.

Terrorism is a growing problem for Pakistan, with the number of attacks rising every year since 2022, according to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), a global monitoring organisation. Data from ACLED shows attacks in Pakistan rose nearly fourfold to 2,425 in 2025 from 658 in 2022, and over the same period, TTP attacks increased more than sevenfold to 838 from 118.

READ: Security forces kill 12 terrorists in Balochistan IBOs: ISPR

Although Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has borne the brunt of terrorism, Balochistan has also remained a major target of Indian proxies, which often target civilians and military installations in the province.

In one such attack on the last day of 2025, terrorists targeted innocent civilians in Balochistan’s Gwadar and Kharan districts, where 18 people, including women, children, the elderly and labourers, embraced martyrdom.

The forces continued operations across the provinces against what the state describes as Indian-sponsored terrorists and their proxies, but despite these efforts, the groups have continued to target civilian and defence installations.

Earlier this month, at least 30 people, including 27 police personnel, were martyred when terrorists identified by the state as the Indian proxy Fitna al-Hindustan ambushed police personnel deployed in the Kach Mangi Phase III area of Ziarat, triggering hours-long gun battles. The attackers also abducted several civilians and police personnel after the assault.

In the aftermath of the attack, the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan Police launched a joint operation, which remains underway, with forces intensifying action against terrorists across the province.