Nine suspected terrorists were eliminated and four Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officials were martyred during a fierce gun battle on the outskirts of Quetta on Saturday, officials confirmed.
The high-stakes intelligence-based operation was conducted by the CTD and allied security forces in the suburbs of Kuchlak and Nohsar.
Commenting on the development, Balochistan Chief Minister’s Assistant for Political and Media Affairs Shahid Rind stated that the successful raid stood as a clear demonstration of the professional capabilities and preparedness of the region’s law enforcement agencies.
He heaped praise on the operational teams for their precise execution of the counter-terrorism operation, noting that the entire nation remained deeply indebted to the security forces for their relentless sacrifices in ridding the country of militancy.
Read: Five terrorists killed in Jhal Magsi
However, the operation saw intense resistance from the alleged terrorists, leading to a heavy exchange of fire that claimed the lives of four security officials. Expressing grief over the loss, Rind paid tribute to the fallen personnel, stressing that they laid down their lives to protect public peace and that their sacrifices would never be forgotten.
Several other officers were injured during the shootout and are currently receiving specialized medical attention. The provincial government directed the health authorities to ensure that the injured personnel were given the best possible medical facilities for a speedy recovery.
Reaffirming the government’s stand against violent extremism, the spokesman stated that disruptive elements would not be allowed to derail peace in Balochistan. He asserted that the state would use its full authority to counter hostile actors, adding that operations across the line would continue unabated until the threat of terrorism was completely eradicated.
Terrorism is a growing problem for Pakistan, with the number of attacks increasing every year since 2022, according to Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED), a global monitoring organization. Data from ACLED shows that attacks in Pakistan have almost quadrupled to 2,425 in 2025 from 658 in 2022, and in the same period attacks by the outlawed militant Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan have increased more than sevenfold to 838 from 118.
Although Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has borne the brunt of terrorism, Balochistan has also remained a major target for Indian proxies, who often target civilian and military installations in the province.
Also read: Security forces kill TTP commander in Balochistan’s Pishin
In one such attack on the last day of last year, terrorists targeted innocent civilians in Gwadar and Kharan districts where 18 people including women, children, elderly and laborers were martyred.
Security forces and law enforcement agencies responded immediately and successfully thwarted the “evil designs” of the terrorists, killing 92 militants while 15 security personnel were also martyred during the operation.
