ISPR says multiple intelligence-based disinfection and targeting operations conducted in Surab and Mastung in 48 hours
Security forces killed 10 terrorists and apprehended two female suicide bombers and a facilitator during several intelligence-based operations in Balochistan in the last 48 hours, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday.
The intelligence-based operations are part of the recently launched Operation Shaban, a joint operation by Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police launched in the wake of the terrorist attack at Mangi Dam police station and is ongoing, with forces intensifying efforts against terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij across the province.
Fitna al-Khawarij is the term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the operations were carried out “in continuation of the security forces’ operations against the Indian-sponsored terror nexus Fitna al Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij.”
The statement said extensive joint operations are being carried out in various parts of Balochistan to weed out remnants of terrorists and their facilitators.
According to the ISPR, security forces conducted “several intelligence-based area clearance and targeting operations in District Surab and District Mastung of Balochistan,” during the last 48 hours, “during which ten terrorists were killed.”
The military said security forces “effectively engaged the terrorist locations” in Surab district and “killed seven terrorists”.
Read: Four more terrorists killed in operation Shabaan: security sources
In a separate operation in Mastung district, “three terrorists were killed and two female suicide bombers along with a facilitator were also apprehended belonging to Indian sponsored Fitna al Hindustan“, the statement said.
The ISPR further said that arms, ammunition and improvised explosive devices used by terrorists were also recovered from the terrorists. It added that clearance operations were continuing in the area “to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorist found in the area.”
Reaffirming its commitment to counter-terrorism, the military said the “relentless campaign against terrorism under the vision of ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full speed to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.”
In a statement, President Asif Ali Zardari hailed the security forces for killing the 10 terrorists and said the operations against militant networks were essential to maintain national peace.
President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the security forces for killing 10 people in Balochistan.
Effective actions against the terrorist networks of security forces in Balochistan under the patronage of India.
— President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) July 22, 2026
The President said that the security forces’ “effective operations against the Indian-sponsored Fitna al Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij terrorist networks in Balochistan are indispensable for national peace.”
Reaffirming Pakistan’s determination to fight terrorism, President Zardari said “the fight against terrorism fueled by foreign interference will continue.”
He also expressed solidarity with the country’s security personnel, saying that “the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the security forces and law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism.”
UNSC confirms increase in TTP attacks from Afghanistan
Terrorism has increased significantly in Pakistan, especially in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, in recent days. The increase in terrorist activity has led to growing concern over the security situation in these regions. In response, security forces have carried out intensive operations to counter the threat, targeting terrorist groups.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), in a report released in February, also drew attention to a series of attacks by the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) against Pakistani security forces and projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Read more: Three more terrorists killed in ongoing Operation Shaban: security sources
“On 16 September 2025, the BLA ambushed a Pakistani military convoy patrolling the corridor, killing 32 soldiers. While counter-terrorism operations by Pakistan limited the BLA’s operational space, it remained active”.
The report added that some member states reported that the BLA cooperated with the TTP and ISIL-K through shared training camps and resources, coordination of attacks and meetings between commanders. Some member states assessed that there was neither an association nor growing ties between the BLA and Al Qaeda or ISIL.
It further highlighted that various groups in Afghanistan had acquired modern weapons and equipment through cross-border smuggling and black market trade. “The TTP used advanced assault rifles, night vision equipment, thermal imaging equipment, sniper systems and drone strike systems. Most of these were provided by the de facto authorities in connection with weapons permits and travel documents,” it said.
In August 2025, the UN’s 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee Monitoring Team Annual Report said that outlawed terrorist groups – the BLA, including its Majeed Brigade, and the TTP had “close coordination”.
The UNSC report said that “some BLA attacks showed a high degree of complexity and brutality”, referring to the hijacking of the Jaffar Express in Balochistan on 11 March 2025, which killed 31 people, including 21 hostages.
