At least seven militants belonging to the India-backed Fitna Al Khawarij group were killed in an intelligence-based operation in the Laja area of Kharan district, Balochistan, security sources said on Sunday.

According to the sources, the operation was launched after intelligence reports indicated the presence of militants in the area.

The operation was conducted as part of the ongoing Radd-ul-Fitna III campaign against terrorism.

Seven militants were killed during the operation, while several others were injured, the sources said.

Security forces also recovered modern weapons, a large quantity of ammunition, other military equipment, two vehicles and a motorcycle from the militants’ hideouts.

The militants’ hideouts were destroyed during the operation.

The slain militants were involved in looting, extortion, kidnapping for ransom and targeted killings in Kharan and Laja, the sources said, adding that militants were also planning suicide attacks in the area.

The sources said that security forces were continuing operations to eliminate terrorism from the country and that all necessary measures would be taken to bring those involved in terrorism to justice.