By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's security forces have killed 33 militants in a series of counterterrorism operations in southwestern Balochistan since Sept. 21, the military said Friday, as Islamabad simultaneously intensifies operations against militant groups it says are operating from Afghanistan.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing, said the operations targeted groups it described as “Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan.” Pakistan uses the term Fitna al-Khawarij primarily for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Fitna al-Hindustan is used by Pakistani authorities for Baloch terrorist groups.

According to ISPR, five militants were killed on Sept. 24 during a continuation of Operation Shaban, after security forces raided additional militant hideouts and exchanged fire with the militants. The military said the latest deaths brought the number killed in the operation to 22.

Weapons, ammunition and explosives were recovered from the hideouts, ISPR said, adding that clearance operations would continue until the threat in the area was eliminated.

In a separate intelligence-based operation in Nushki district on Sept. 25, troops targeted a militant hideout and killed 11 militants following an intense exchange of fire, according to ISPR.

The latest operations come as Balochistan continues to face attacks by terrorist groups. The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies recorded 89 militant attacks in the province in August, compared with 83 in July.

Pakistan's government says the counterterrorism campaign is being conducted under Azm-e-Istehkam, a national security framework approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan.

ISPR said security forces and law-enforcement agencies would continue operations against what it described as foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism.

- Pakistan also strikes militant targets inside Afghanistan

The Balochistan operations are taking place against the backdrop of a major deterioration in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations.

Pakistan has accused the TTP and allied militant groups of using Afghan territory to plan and launch attacks against Pakistan, an allegation repeatedly rejected by Afghanistan's Taliban regime.

On Sept. 21, Pakistan conducted airstrikes against militant targets in Afghanistan, saying the operation killed 28 militants in Paktika and Kunar provinces. Pakistan said the strikes were directed at militant targets.

The strikes marked a significant escalation in tensions between Islamabad and Kabul after months of cross-border militant violence. Pakistan has said it reserves the right to target militant infrastructure inside Afghanistan when attacks against Pakistan originate from Afghan territory.

The Taliban government, however, denies allowing Afghan territory to be used for attacks against Pakistan and has accused Islamabad of violating Afghan sovereignty.

- TTP and BLA at center of Pakistan's security concerns

Islamabad considers the TTP one of its principal security threats. The group has carried out numerous attacks in Pakistan and maintains links with the Afghan Taliban.

Pakistan has also been fighting against Baloch terrorist groups, including the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). The BLA has claimed responsibility for attacks on security forces, infrastructure and civilians in Balochistan.

Pakistan says both terrorist groups receive support from India and Afghanistan.