Pakistan Army Says 74 Militants Killed in Counterterrorism Operations Across KP and Balochistan

ISLAMABAD (Terror Monitor) — Pakistani security forces have killed at least 74 militants in a series of intelligence-based counterterrorism operations across the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southwestern Balochistan over the past 10 days, Pakistan’s military said on Friday.

According to statements issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, the operations targeted multiple militant hideouts and networks in areas close to the Afghan border, resulting in the deaths of 43 militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and another 31 in Balochistan.

The military said a substantial quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives was also recovered during the operations, which were conducted as part of Pakistan’s ongoing counterterrorism campaign.

43 militants killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

In its first statement, the ISPR said security forces had expanded intelligence-based operations to Mir Ali in North Waziristan district and Orakzai district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

During the operations over the preceding 48 hours, troops killed 35 militants in Mir Ali following intense exchanges of fire, while another eight were killed in Orakzai.

The military described the operations as part of efforts to dismantle militant networks and eliminate what it termed terrorist hideouts operating in the region.

According to the ISPR, troops also recovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition and explosives, including locally manufactured explosives and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The military said the recovered material had been intended for use in terrorist activities and that clearance operations were continuing to locate any remaining militants in the affected areas.

31 militants killed in Balochistan

In a separate statement, the military said security forces had killed 31 militants during an intelligence-based area-clearance operation in Balochistan since November 3.

The operation targeted multiple militant hideouts in the Kurram area of Quetta district, according to the ISPR.

The military said troops engaged several suspected militant positions during successive encounters, resulting in the deaths of 31 individuals it described as Indian-sponsored militants.

Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the targeted locations.

The ISPR identified the targeted networks as belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which the Pakistani state refers to as Fitna al-Khawarij, and the Balochistan-based Fitna al-Hindustan.

The military said clearance operations were continuing to eliminate any remaining militants and dismantle their operational infrastructure.

It added that Pakistan's counterterrorism campaign under the national security initiative Azm-e-Istehkam would continue at full pace.

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan and India of supporting militant groups

Pakistan has repeatedly accused neighbouring Afghanistan and India of providing support, shelter and assistance to militant organisations operating against the country.

Islamabad alleges that TTP leaders and fighters use sanctuaries inside Afghanistan to plan and organise attacks against Pakistani security forces and civilians.

Pakistan has also accused India of supporting separatist militant organisations, particularly the outlawed Balochistan-based Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which has carried out numerous attacks against security forces, civilians and infrastructure.

Both Afghanistan and India have rejected Pakistan's allegations of supporting militant activities on Pakistani territory.

The accusations have contributed to deteriorating relations between Islamabad and Kabul, with cross-border militancy remaining a major source of tension between the neighbouring countries.

Recent deadly attack on police in Kohat

The latest military announcement comes amid a renewed wave of militant violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where security forces and police have faced repeated attacks.

On November 11, at least 10 Pakistani police personnel, including two senior officers, were killed when militants ambushed a police party returning from an operation against illegal gold-mining activities in the Darbukach area of Kohat district.

According to provincial police officials, 18 militants were also killed during the ensuing hours-long exchange of fire.

The Pakistani Taliban, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack, according to international news reports.

The Associated Press reported that the ambush occurred as police personnel were returning after an operation against criminal networks involved in illegal gold mining.

Reuters also reported that at least 11 police personnel were initially feared killed in the attack, citing a rescue service spokesman.

The incident highlighted the continuing security challenges facing Pakistani authorities, particularly in areas bordering Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an Islamabad-based security research organisation, recorded 49 militant attacks across Pakistan between October 30 and November 5, compared with 31 attacks during the preceding week.

The attacks resulted in 25 fatalities and 21 injuries, according to its weekly security assessment published on November 8.

President and prime minister praise security forces

Following the latest counterterrorism operations, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the performance of Pakistan's security forces and acknowledged their efforts to eliminate militant networks.

The two leaders reiterated that the fight against terrorism and militancy would continue until the threats facing the country were eliminated.

The prime minister also reaffirmed the government's commitment to continuing counterterrorism operations under the National Action Plan and the national security framework.

The military said security forces and law enforcement agencies would maintain pressure on militant networks across the country and continue operations against what it described as foreign-sponsored terrorism.

Pakistan has witnessed a sustained security challenge in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where the TTP and Baloch separatist organisations have intensified attacks against security personnel, government installations and other targets in recent years.

The latest operations represent another major round of Pakistan's ongoing campaign to dismantle militant infrastructure and improve security in the country's western border regions.