- Army, FC, police conduct joint operation.
- Air and ground operations continue in the province.
- 52 militants killed during Operation Shaban.
Security forces eliminated nine more terrorists belonging to India’s proxy Fitna al-Khawarij during the ongoing Operation Shaban in Balochistan, taking the total number of militants killed since July 5 to 88, security sources said on Saturday.
The operation was launched in the wake of the attack on the Mangi Dam police station in Ziarat and is being carried out jointly by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police, security sources said.
The sources privy to the development said they said the militants were targeted through coordinated air and ground operations, resulting in the killing of nine more militants in the latest action.
They added that the total number of militants killed during Operation Shaban has risen to 52. Security sources further said that 88 militants have been killed in various operations since July 5.
While security forces inflicted heavy casualties on terrorists in ongoing operations, 42 people, including security personnel and civilians, were killed in three recent terror attacks in Balochistan.
The operation in Balochistan will continue until the last militant is eliminated, the security sources added.
Speaking on the terror attack in Ziarat, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Wednesday that India-backed terrorists attacked the checkpoint, but policemen fought the terrorists bravely and killed 15 militants during the initial engagement.
The military spokesman said nine policemen embraced martyrdom in the initial battles, adding that militants had taken policemen hostage before security forces reached the area.
Pakistan witnessed an increase in terrorist activities, especially in its KP and Balochistan provinces, since 2021 when the Afghan Taliban came to power.
In response, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, targeting what it said were terrorist hideouts across the border. According to Pakistani authorities, the operation killed dozens of Afghan Taliban operatives and allied militants and wounded hundreds more.
In October 2025, border clashes erupted after the Afghan Taliban and affiliated militants launched unprovoked attacks on Pakistani border posts. Over 200 Taliban fighters and allied militants were killed, while 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred defending the country.
Despite several rounds of negotiations, both countries have been unable to reach an agreement, largely due to the Afghan Taliban regime’s reluctance to crack down on terrorist outfits.
