Security forces kill 32 terrorists in KP, Balochistan operations: ISPR

Security forces killed 32 terrorists, including 24 in Khyber district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and eight in Balochistan’s Nushki district, during two separate intelligence-based operations, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday.

The intelligence-based operations have been launched in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the area. Earlier, security forces launched Operation Shaban after terrorists attacked Mangi Dam police station. A District and Sessions Judge and his security guard were also killed after unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle on the National Highway in Mastung, while an additional Sessions Judge and another person sustained serious injuries.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operations were carried out “in continuation of the security forces’ operations against the terrorist nexus of sponsored Indian Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan“, as part of a wider counter-terrorism campaign.

Fitna al-Hindustan is the term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army and other groups in Balochistan. Whereas Fitna al-Khawarij is the state-designated term for the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The ISPR said that “comprehensive joint operations are being conducted in various parts of KP and Balochistan to weed out terrorists and their facilitators,” adding that security forces had “successfully eliminated 32 terrorists” in the last 24 hours.

The military said that on the night of July 28-29, several intelligence-based area clearance and targeting operations were conducted in Khyber district, during which security forces “effectively engaged various terrorist locations” and killed 24 terrorists it identified as belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij.

In a separate operation in Balochistan’s Nushki district, security forces conducted several intelligence-based operations where after “an intense engagement” eight terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan was killed, according to the ISPR.

The military said weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices used by the terrorists were “recovered and destroyed during operations.”

The ISPR added that clearance operations were being carried out to eliminate any other terrorist found in the area. It further said that the “relentless campaign against terrorism under the vision of ‘Azm-e-Istehkam'”, approved by the Federal Apex Committee for the National Action Plan, “will continue at full speed to wipe out the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.”

President Asif Ali Zardari hailed the security forces and law enforcement agencies for the successful intelligence-based operations and praised their “professional skills” in killing 32 terrorists.

The president said Pakistan would “thwart the nefarious designs of India-backed terrorist elements at all costs,” adding that “the nation stands with its brave armed forces.”

In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised the security forces for their successful operations. “We will continue the fight against terrorism until this menace is eliminated from the country,” the prime minister said.

He added that security forces are “effectively conducting operations against terrorists who seek to undermine the peace of our beloved homeland.”

“The entire nation, including myself, stands shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces of Pakistan in our unwavering resolve to protect the homeland,” the prime minister said.

The news comes a day after three persons, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), were martyred, a truck driver was injured, six laborers were abducted and five trailers along with two gas bowsers were burnt in separate incidents across Balochistan.

UNSC confirms increase in TTP attacks from Afghanistan

Terrorism has increased significantly in Pakistan, especially in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 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).

“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.

Read also: Three more terrorists killed in ongoing Operation Shaban: security sources

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.