At least 47 people were killed in a series of militant attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, according to a Geo News report on Saturday citing security sources. The report said that Indian-backed militants carried out separate assaults at 12 locations, killing at least 10 police officers. Security forces responded with counterattacks that left 37 militants dead. Operations against the attackers were still ongoing in several areas.

A security source identified the assailants as members of the India-backed group ‘Fitna al Hindustan,’ which attempted coordinated strikes across Balochistan. The source said timely and effective action by security forces prevented the attacks from succeeding. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security personnel, commending their bravery in thwarting what he described as the terrorists’ malicious objectives.

The violence occurred a day after two separate operations in Balochistan killed 41 India-supported militants, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Those operations took place on January 29 near Harnai district and in Panjgur district.