18 terrorists killed in premature VBIED blast, security operation in Balochistan: ISPR | The Express Tribune

Eighteen terrorists affiliated with Fitna-al Hindustan were killed after a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) detonated prematurely while being prepared, followed by a joint clearance operation in Balochistan’s Surab district, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday.

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.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the blast occurred on the morning of August 12 while the explosives-laden vehicle was being prepared by terrorists.

“The premature detonation during preparation resulted in the confirmed killing of eight terrorists, with multiple others injured. However, the blast and secondary detonation of other explosives stored there by the terrorists of Indian proxy have also reportedly caused tragic casualties among three nearby civilians,” it said.

The statement said security forces and Balochistan Police reached the site and launched a joint clearance operation to trace the perpetrators and their facilitators.

“During the operation, security forces proactively detected the movement of fleeing terrorists, effectively engaged and neutralised ten more. In total, eighteen terrorists affiliated with Fitna-al Hindustan have been eliminated in these incidents so far. However, during the intense exchange of fire, two brave soldiers also sustained injuries,” the ISPR said.

It further added that sanitisation operations were continuing in the area to eliminate any remaining terrorists.

“The relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam (as approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan) by the security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” it said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari praised security forces and Balochistan Police for their operation against terrorists.

In a statement, PM Shehbaz expressed grief over the loss of civilian lives and said “Fitna-al Hindustan terrorists are enemies of the peace and people of Balochistan.” 

The prime minister said the fight against terrorism would continue until the complete elimination of the menace from the country.

President Zardari expressed his best wishes for the speedy recovery of two soldiers injured during the operation.

He also conveyed his condolences over the deaths of civilians and said that “Operations against Fitna-al Hindustan terrorists and their facilitators should continue.” 

He added that the nation was determined to eliminate foreign-backed terrorism from Pakistan.

A day earlier, security forces also neutralised five terrorists belonging to the proscribed Fitna al-Hindustan during a “high-tempo, intelligence-driven operation” conducted in Balochistan’s Panjgur district.

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.