At least 18 terrorists were killed in Balochistan’s Surab district, including eight in a premature detonation, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said eight terrorists were killed when an “under preparation” vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) detonated.

“An under preparation vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) detonated while being prepared by terrorists affiliated with Fitna Al Hindustan in Surab district of Balochistan.”

The state has designated Balochistan-based terrorist groups as Fitna-al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.

The military’s media wing added that multiple terrorists were also injured in the explosion.

However, the blast also killed three civilians in the area after a “secondary detonation of other explosives stored there”.

Following the explosion, a contingent of security forces and police reached the incident site and “launched a comprehensive joint clearance operation to track down the perpetrators and facilitators”.

Elaborating further, the military said security forces “proactively detected the movement of fleeing terrorists, effectively engaging and neutralising ten more”.

“In total, 18 terrorists affiliated with Fitna Al Hindustan have been eliminated in these incidents so far,” said the ISPR, adding that during the exchange of fire, two soldiers were injured.

“Sanitisation operations continue in the area to eliminate any remaining terrorists.

“The relentless counter-terrorism campaign under vision ‘Azm e Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” concluded the ISPR.

Security forces killed 15 terrorists in multiple intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in several areas of Balochistan, state media reported last week.

State-run Pakistan TV, citing sources, reported that the IBOs were carried out in Mastung, Bolan, Washuk, Awaran, Sibi, Khuzdar, Harnai, and Nushki under Operation Raddul Fitna 3, adding that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the dead terrorists.

“The operations severely damaged the khawarij network and restricted their movement,” Pakistan TV said. Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists.

According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies’ (PICSS) monthly security assessment released on July 31, the security situation deteriorated most significantly in Balochistan in the country last month.

The overall death toll increased by 241pc in Balochistan, from 109 in June to 372 in July, the report said.

Security personnel deaths in Balochistan increased from six in June to 62 in July, representing a rise of 933pc. Terrorist deaths rose from 75 to 238, while civilian deaths increased by 93pc, from 28 to 54. Eighteen members of peace committees were also killed in the province.