Overview
- ISPR said eight militants linked to the so-called Fitna al Hindustan were killed in an intelligence-based operation in Kalat, with weapons, ammunition and explosives recovered.
- In a separate operation in Kulachi, Dera Ismail Khan, troops killed two militants including ringleader Dilawar, a high-value target with a Rs4 million bounty.
- The military said both operations were launched on December 24 on confirmed intelligence and followed intense exchanges of fire at identified hideouts.
- Sanitisation and search operations are underway in both areas to remove any remaining militants, according to the army.
- Officials place the actions within the Azm-e-Istehkam counterterrorism drive and reference a rise in attacks since 2021 and recent strain with Afghanistan, including a formal demarche this month.