Kharan terror attacks foiled as security forces kill 12 Indian-sponsored militants, says ISPR

RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Pakistan’s security forces have thwarted a series of coordinated terrorist attacks in Kharan city, District Kharan, after Indian-sponsored militants targeted key public and financial institutions, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Friday.

The attacks took place on Thursday and involved a group of approximately 15 to 20 terrorists linked to Fitna Al Hindustan. Swift action by security forces prevented further escalation and disrupted the militants’ plans.

According to ISPR, the terrorists launched near-simultaneous assaults on the City Police Station, the National Bank of Pakistan, and Habib Bank Limited in Kharan, Balochistan. During the attacks, the militants managed to loot Rs3.4 million from the two banks before attempting to withdraw from the area. The choice of targets highlighted an effort to undermine public security and disrupt essential services.

Security forces and law enforcement agencies responded immediately, engaging the attackers and forcing them to retreat from their initial positions. ISPR said the timely response prevented the militants from consolidating their presence or causing additional damage within the city. The situation prompted a clearance operation aimed at neutralising the fleeing attackers and securing the affected locations.

During the subsequent operation, security personnel engaged the terrorists in three separate encounters across the area. As a result, 12 militants were killed, ISPR confirmed. The engagements took place as part of a systematic effort to dismantle the group and prevent regrouping or escape. Weapons and other materials used in the attacks were also secured during the operation, according to official sources.

ISPR further stated that the militants had intended to create a hostage situation at the City Police Station, a plan that was effectively foiled by the rapid and coordinated response of the security forces. The prevention of a hostage crisis significantly reduced the risk to civilians and on-duty police personnel, officials said.

A sanitisation operation remains ongoing in and around Kharan to ensure that no other militants linked to the group are present in the vicinity. Security forces are conducting thorough searches to eliminate any remaining threats and restore a sense of security in the district.

The military’s media wing said the counter-terrorism campaign is being carried out under the national vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam”, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan. ISPR reiterated that security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue their operations at full pace to eliminate the threat of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism across the country.