Security forces have killed 12 terrorists and foiled what the military said was an attempt to create a hostage situation during multiple operations in the southwestern district of Kharan, the military’s media wing said on Friday.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that between 15 and 20 terrorists carried out coordinated attacks in Kharan city on January 15, targeting a city police station and two commercial banks.

The ISPR said the terrorists also looted 3.4 million rupees ($12,200) from the banks before security forces responded, forcing the attackers to retreat.

“During the ensuing clearance operation, twelve terrorists were sent to hell in three different engagements,” the statement said, adding that the terrorists’ attempt to take hostages at the police station had been “effectively thwarted”.

The military said a sanitization operation was ongoing in surrounding areas to eliminate any remaining terrorists.

The ISPR referred to the attackers as members of “Fitna al Hindustan”, a term authorities use for Balochistan-based militant groups, saying they are sponsored by India.

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The military said its counterterrorism campaign would continue under the framework of “Azm-e-Istehkam”, a national security initiative approved by Pakistan’s Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan.

The incident comes amid a sharp rise in militant violence across Pakistan in 2025, despite intensified counterterrorism operations.

According to a report by the Islamabad-based Pak Institute for Peace Studies, militant attacks increased by 34% last year, while terrorism-related fatalities rose by 21% compared with 2024.

Earlier this month, ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistani security forces and law enforcement agencies conducted 75,175 intelligence-based operations nationwide in 2025. Of these, 58,778 took place in Balochistan and 14,658 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said a total of 5,397 militant incidents were recorded during the year, with 71% occurring in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 29% in Balochistan.