Web Desk: Security forces today thwarted a massive, coordinated assault by a large group of terrorists in the city of Kharan, killing at least seven attackers during a series of intense gunbattles that raged across multiple locations.
Approximately 50 to 60 militants belonging to the Fitna al-Hindustan (FAH) group launched the raid using motorcycles to infiltrate the city. The assault targeted government installations and financial institutions in a bid to seize control of key urban points.
The violence began when a contingent of 20 to 25 militants descended upon the Kharan Police Station. The attackers opened fire on the facility to pin down local law enforcement and create a diversion. While that engagement continued, a separate wing of the militant group moved toward the city’s commercial center to loot local banks.
Officials stated that the group strike soft targets and civilians, a tactic they described as a signature of the FAH terrorists.
The situation shifted rapidly as Frontier Corps (FC) troops arrived on the scene after receiving intelligence reports of the incursion. The troops immediately cordoned off the city to prevent the militants from escaping or receiving further support.
In the ensuing heavy exchange of fire, security forces killed four to five terrorists near the initial attack sites. Consequently, the FC successfully prevented the militants from taking any hostages or completing the bank robberies.
The operation expanded shortly thereafter when military intelligence detected a secondary group of militants in the outskirts of the city. Authorities believe this group intended to serve as a reinforcement unit for the primary attackers.
FC units intercepted the second cell in a nearby area, leading to another fierce skirmish. During this second phase of the operation, soldiers killed two to three additional terrorists.
Security forces remain on high alert as they continue to sanitise the area. While the initial wave of the attack has been broken, the hunt for remaining militants continues within the cordoned zones.
Local officials confirmed that no hostages were taken during the multi-pronged raid. Meanwhile, the military has increased patrols along the routes leading into Kharan to ensure the city remains secure from further infiltration.
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