CTD kills 14 terrorists in twin operations in Quetta and Barkhan

QUETTA: The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) on Wednesday killed 14 suspected terrorists during two separate engagements in Balochistan’s capital Quetta and Barkhan district, according to a CTD spokesperson.

In the first operation, CTD personnel conducted a raid in Quetta’s Darakhshan area, where militants opened fire on the security team. The suspects were killed in an exchange of fire, while three CTD officials sustained injuries during the encounter.

Authorities said weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants, who were reportedly linked to a banned organisation.

In a second intelligence-based operation in Barkhan, CTD forces engaged another group of militants, killing six terrorists in a gunfight. Weapons and explosive materials were seized, and officials said the suspects were allegedly involved in subversive activities.

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The operations come a day after a major terrorist attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district, where 12 militants belonging to an India-backed proxy were killed, while 11 security personnel were martyred, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Both KP and Balochistan, bordering Afghanistan, have seen a surge in militant violence since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Earlier this month, India-backed Fitna al-Hindustan — Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) carried out multiple attacks across the province, leaving 36 civilians and 22 security personnel martyred, as per the ISPR.

In response, security forces launched Operation Raddul Fitna 1, eliminating at least 216 terrorists in coordinated engagements and clearance operations.

Meanwhile, terrorists also attacked a Pakistan customs office and a police station near York Interchange in Dera Ismail Khan, police said. Customs official Israr Khan and police official Muhammad Bilal were martyred in the exchange of fire.

The attackers reportedly set two customs vehicles on fire and opened fire on passengers before fleeing the scene. Police have launched a search operation to track down the assailants.