RAWALPINDI: At least 12 terrorists were killed during a security forces operation after multiple coordinated attacks were carried out in Kharan city of Balochistan’s Kharan district, the Inter-Services Public Relations said on Friday.

According to the ISPR, around 15 to 20 terrorists belonging to Fitna Al Hindustan carried out attacks on January 15, targeting the city police station as well as branches of the National Bank of Pakistan and Habib Bank Limited.

During the attacks, the terrorists looted approximately Rs3.4 million from the two banks. Security forces responded promptly and engaged the attackers, forcing them to retreat.

The ISPR said that during the subsequent clearance operation, security forces killed 12 terrorists in three separate engagements. The militants’ attempt to create a hostage situation at the police station was also successfully thwarted.

Sanitisation operations are continuing in the surrounding areas to eliminate any remaining terrorists, the statement added.

The ISPR said that the security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue a relentless counterterrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam”, as approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, to eradicate the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.