QUETTA: Six security forces personnel embraced martyrdom while four terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire in Turbat, Balochistan, an Inter-Services Public Relations press statement said.

According to ISPR press statement, an Intelligence-based Operation was being carried out against terrorist hideouts in Wakai near Baleda, Turbat.

The ISPR said terrorists targeted the security forces vehicle by an Improvised Explosive Device.

Martyrs of Turbat IED blast were Naib Subedar Gul Shahadat, resident of Karak, Naik Laal Khan, Lakki Marwat, Naik Sajjad – Lodhran, Sepoy Anwar – Karak, Naik Nawaz – Tonsa Shareef, Sepoy Sajjad – Sialkot

Balochistan — Pakistan’s largest province in terms of land area — has long been plagued by an insurgency and targeted killings. However, security forces have conducted effective operations across the province cracking down on militants in recent years.

Following the beginning of Operation Raddul Fasaad, security forces intensified intelligence-based and combing operations in an effort to establish peace in the province.

This has led to a considerable drop in militancy in the province but scattered attacks do take place there at times, and security personnel often seising arms and ammunition dumped in far-flung areas.

“Terrorists targeted one of the vehicles of security forces through IED, which resulted in martyrdom of six security personnel, while four terrorists were killed in exchange of with the security personnel.

Earlier in the month of September, four terrorists were killed and two soldiers martyred during an intelligence-based operation conducted by security forces against a group of terrorists hiding in Manghochar area of Kalat, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Two suicide jackets, large quantity of explosives and weapons and ammunition were also recovered.

The operation was aimed at indiscriminately eliminating residual and latent threat of terrorism, consolidating gains of operations made thus far and further ensuring security of the borders.

The military had said “the country wide de-weaponisation and explosive control were additional cardinals of the effort. The statement also highlighted that pursuance of the National Action Plan, which was formulated after Peshawar school attack in 2014, will be the hallmark of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.