ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s security forces conducted a high-impactintelligence-based operation in the outskirts of Harnai district,Balochistan, resulting in the elimination of 30 terrorists designated asIndia-sponsored khawarij, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations(ISPR). The operation unfolded on January 29 following credibleintelligence reports of militant presence in the area. This actionunderscores the state’s intensified counterterrorism efforts underOperation Azm-e-Istehkam, aimed at dismantling networks accused ofdestabilising the region through external sponsorship.
The term Fitna-al-Hindustan has been officially designated by the Pakistanistate for Balochistan-based militant groups to explicitly highlight India’salleged role in sponsoring terrorism and fomenting instability across thecountry. Introduced in mid-2025 by the Ministry of Interior, thisnomenclature frames such organisations as proxies executing foreign agendasdetrimental to Pakistan’s sovereignty and Islamic values. Authoritiesassert that these groups engage in violent activities at the behest ofIndian intelligence, targeting security installations, civilians, anddevelopment projects to undermine national cohesion.
In the Harnai operation, troops effectively engaged a terrorist hideoutafter surrounding the location. An intense fire exchange ensued, leading tothe neutralisation of all 30 khawarij involved. The ISPR described themilitants as India-sponsored elements linked to Fitna-al-Khawarij, aparallel designation for groups associated with banned outfits operating inborder regions. No casualties were reported among security personnel inthis particular engagement, reflecting precise execution based onactionable intelligence.
A significant cache of ammunition and explosives was recovered from theeliminated terrorists’ possession. Security forces promptly destroyed therecovered items on site to prevent any potential reuse in future attacks.Such recoveries highlight the sophisticated armament levels maintained bythese groups, often attributed to cross-border supply lines. The operationforms part of a broader pattern of recent successes in Balochistan, wheremultiple IBOs have targeted similar networks in districts like Panjgur,Kharan, and Kalat over the past months.
This development coincides with another simultaneous operation in Panjgurdistrict, where 11 terrorists affiliated with Fitna-al-Hindustan wereeliminated, bringing the total militant casualties in Balochistan to 41 onthe same day. Official statements emphasise that these actions demonstratethe resolve of Pakistan’s armed forces in countering hybrid threatscombining local insurgency with alleged foreign interference. Leadershipfrom the President, Prime Minister, and military has praised the troops fortheir professionalism and effectiveness in safeguarding national security.
The surge in such operations reflects ongoing challenges in Balochistan,where militant activities have targeted infrastructure, labourers, and softcivilian sites in recent years. Authorities maintain that externalsponsorship, particularly from India, has escalated these threats as partof a strategy to disrupt regional stability. Pakistan has repeatedlypresented dossiers and evidence to international forums detailing theseallegations, though responses from New Delhi have consistently denied anyinvolvement.
Broader counterterrorism framework under Azm-e-Istehkam, launched in 2024,integrates military, intelligence, and law enforcement efforts nationwide.In Balochistan, this has involved enhanced surveillance, tribalengagements, and targeted strikes against hideouts. The Harnai success isviewed as a blow to militant morale and logistical capabilities,potentially deterring planned attacks in the province. Analysts note thatconsistent pressure on these networks could pave the way for improvedsecurity and development initiatives in the resource-rich but volatileregion.
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Public and official reactions have been overwhelmingly supportive of thesecurity forces’ actions. Statements from civilian leadership reaffirmcommitment to eradicating terrorism in all forms, while emphasising that noexternal power will succeed in undermining Pakistan’s integrity. Theoperations also serve to reinforce narrative control, portraying militantsnot as indigenous separatists but as foreign proxies, therebydelegitimising their causes domestically and internationally.
Security analysts observe that repeated use of terms likeFitna-al-Hindustan and Fitna-al-Khawarij in official communications aims tocontextualise the threat within a larger geopolitical rivalry. This framinghas intensified since 2025, coinciding with heightened tensions andspecific incidents blamed on cross-border orchestration. The destruction ofweapons caches in such operations disrupts supply chains and reduces themilitants’ operational tempo in the short term.
Pakistan continues to call for regional cooperation to address terrorism’sroot causes, including border management and intelligence sharing. TheHarnai operation exemplifies the proactive stance adopted by securityinstitutions to neutralise threats before they materialise into largerattacks. As sanitisation efforts proceed in the area, authorities assurethat vigilance remains high to prevent resurgence of militant elements.
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1969897
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