QUETTA: Ten terrorists were killed in a targeted intelligence-based operation (IBO) conducted by the CounterTerrorism Department (CTD) in Balochistan`s Barkhan district, Home Department officials said on Saturday.

`During an intense gun battle, 10 armed terrorists were killed and two CTD officials were injured, they said, adding that the CTD conducted the operation after receiving information about the presence of terrorists belonging to the Indian proxy, Fitna alHindustan, in the area.

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

The officials said the CTD had also seized a large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives from the terrorists.

According to them, the two injured CTD personnel were taken to a hospital, while the bodies of the terrorists were shifted to the Rara Sham district hospital.

Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti paid rich tribute to the CTD personnel for conducting the successful operation. `Our brave security forces were playing an important role in the elimination of terrorism from Balochistan andrendering sacrifices to protect the lives and property of the people,` he said.

On Oct 7, security forces killed five terrorists in Balochistan`s Mastung district, according to state media.

Late last month, the military`s media affairs wing said that more than 71 terrorists had been killed in Shaban and otherareasofBalochistan during 96 hours.

On Sept 17, three terrorists were eliminated in an IBO in Balochistan`s Awaran district`s Badrang area. Anotherthree were killed in Mastung on Sept 14.

Earlier that month, 21 terrorists were killed in separate engagements in Nokcha, Chagai, Ziarat Cross, and Pishin.

The number of terrorist attacks in the provinceincreased by seven per cent from 83 in July to 89 in August, according to PICSS` monthly assessment.

As per the report, Balochistan was declared the province `most affected` by terrorism.