Pakistan Says Over 71 Terrorists Killed in Balochistan Operations

Islamabad (Terror Monitor) — Pakistan’s security forces have killed more than 71 terrorists during a series of counter-terrorism operations across Balochistan over the past 96 hours, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said on Sunday.

According to ISPR, the operations were launched on the basis of intelligence identifying multiple terrorist hideouts in the Shaban area of Quetta district and other parts of Balochistan. Security forces also recovered weapons, ammunition and explosives from several locations during the operations.

The military said the operation in the Shaban and surrounding areas began on September 21 following intelligence reports about terrorist hideouts posing a threat to local communities. Security forces engaged the militants in intense exchanges of fire and cleared multiple hideouts.

ISPR said 33 terrorists were initially killed during the operation. Over the following 72 hours, the operation was intensified, resulting in the deaths of a further 23 terrorists.

The military said security forces had cleared a large area and reduced the threat to local residents. It added that clearance operations would continue until the threat was completely neutralised.

11 Killed in Nushki Operation

In a separate intelligence-based operation in Nushki district on September 25, security forces targeted what ISPR described as a terrorist hideout.

Following an exchange of fire, 11 terrorists were killed, according to the military. The operation was described as part of the wider counter-terrorism campaign being conducted across Balochistan.

ISPR also reported a separate operation in the Mand area, where six terrorists were killed. A large quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered from the site, according to the military.

The reported figures bring the total number of terrorists killed in Operation Shaban and other operations across Balochistan during the four-day period to more than 71, according to ISPR.

Pakistan’s Terminology for Militant Groups

In its statements, the Pakistani military uses the term “Fitna Al-Khawarij” for terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). It uses “Fitna Al-Hindustan” for certain banned Balochistan-based militant groups, while alleging that they receive support from India.

ISPR has described the groups targeted in the recent operations as foreign-sponsored or foreign-backed terrorists. These allegations are those of the Pakistani military and have not been independently established in the operational accounts released so far.

The military has also accused the Afghan Taliban authorities of allowing or supporting militant activity against Pakistan, alleging that such activity is backed by India. Afghan authorities have previously rejected Pakistani accusations of providing militant groups with safe havens.

Operations to Continue

ISPR said Pakistan’s counter-terrorism campaign under the Azm-e-Istehkam framework, approved by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan, would continue.

The military said security forces and law-enforcement agencies remained committed to eliminating what it described as foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism.

The latest operations come amid heightened militant violence and security tensions in Balochistan, where both separatist groups and Islamist militant organisations have carried out attacks against security forces and civilians.

Independent verification of the number of militants killed in the latest operations was not immediately available.