Islamabad: Security forces killed nine terrorists in separate operations in Balochistan’s Kachhi and Wadh areas, the military announced on Wednesday, as Pakistan continues its campaign against armed groups operating in the province.

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), in a statement reported by Dawn, said both operations took place on October 26 following intelligence about the presence of terrorists belonging to groups the state designates as Fitna al Hindustan.

In Kachhi, troops destroyed a terrorist hideout and killed seven terrorists during an exchange of fire, according to the statement. In Wadh, security forces tracked and intercepted terrorist movement, killing two in a separate exchange.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered at both locations, ISPR said.

The military described those killed as Indian sponsored. Pakistan uses the designation Fitna al Hindustan for Balochistan based terrorist groups to underline its allegations of Indian involvement in violence and destabilisation.

ISPR said follow up searches were under way to locate any remaining terrorists. It added that the counterterrorism campaign would continue under Azm e Istehkam, the government’s national counterterrorism initiative.

President Asif Ali Zardari praised the forces’ professionalism and said attempts by foreign patrons and local facilitators to support terrorism would be thwarted. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also commended the operations, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan.

The announcement comes amid sustained security pressure in Balochistan. Figures from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, cited by Dawn, recorded 131 terrorist attacks in the province during September, accounting for more than half of the nationwide total of 225.

The institute also recorded 35 security operations in Balochistan that month, with 171 terrorists reported killed. These figures concern September and are separate from the operations announced on Wednesday.