The operation was carried out following reports of the presence of terrorists belonging to what it described as the Indian-sponsored group Fitna ul Khawarij.

Troops engaged the suspected hideout during the operation and, after an intense exchange of fire, killed four terrorists, the statement said. Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the site.

The military said the slain terrorists had been involved in multiple attacks in the area.

A clearance and sanitisation operation was underway to eliminate any other suspected terrorists in the vicinity, ISPR said.

Pakistan’s security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue counter-terrorism operations under the ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ campaign, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, the statement added.

Earlier, at least five terrorists, affiliated with Fitna ul Khawarij, were killed in an operation carried out by security forces in the Pishin district of Balochistan, according to ISPR.

The operation was carried out after receiving intelligence reports about the presence of militants, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

During the operation, security forces engaged in intense firefights with the terrorists.

In a bid to avoid arrest, one of the militants detonated himself, the ISPR said.

Following the operation, security forces seized a significant amount of weapons and explosives from the site.

The ISPR stated that the slain militants were involved in several high-profile attacks in the region, targeting both civilians and law enforcement agencies.

To ensure the complete eradication of terrorist elements, clearance and search operations are underway in the area to eliminate any remaining threats.

A military spokesperson emphasised that no terrorist supported by India or attempting to spread unrest in the country would be spared.