BRUSSELS/RAWALPINDI, (Unib Rashid) – Security forces killed 21 militants in separate operations in Balochistan’s Chagai and Pishin districts during the night of August 31 and September 1, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday.

According to the military’s media wing, 11 militants affiliated with what it described as Fitna al-Hindustan were killed in Nokcha, Chagai district, after they attempted to establish an illegal checkpoint along the N-40 Quetta-Taftan Highway.

The militants were allegedly attempting to disrupt the movement of commuters and extort money from them. Security forces responded promptly, resulting in an intense exchange of fire in which 11 militants were killed, ISPR said.

A large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives was also recovered from the militants, according to the statement.

In a separate incident in Ziarat Cross, Pishin district, militants affiliated with Fitna al-Khawarij launched a coordinated attack during the night in an attempt to breach the Customs House.

Security forces effectively responded to the attack and killed 10 militants following an intense exchange of fire. ISPR said fleeing militants were also engaged, inflicting further casualties.

The military described the attack on the Customs House as a manifestation of what it termed a “terror-crime nexus”, alleging that the assault was aimed at preventing Customs officials from carrying out their lawful duties and facilitating criminal activities in the area.

Six personnel, including two officers and a government official of the Customs Department, were killed during the exchange of fire, ISPR said.

“Six brave sons of the soil, including two officers and a government official from the Customs Department, made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and embraced Shahadat,” the statement said.

Following the engagements, sanitisation operations were underway in the surrounding areas to eliminate any remaining militants and ensure the security of the local population and vital national highways.

ISPR said the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” framework, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, would continue with full resolve.

The military reiterated that security forces and law-enforcement agencies remained committed to combating what it described as foreign-sponsored and foreign-supported terrorism in the country.