Four more terrorists killed in ongoing Operation Shaban: security sources

Four more terrorists were killed on Tuesday during the ongoing Operation Shaban, taking the total number of terrorists killed in the operation to 83 across Balochistan since July 5, security sources said.

The joint operation by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police was 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).

Terrorists ambushed police personnel posted in Kach Mangi Phase III area of ​​Ziarat last Tuesday, triggering hour-long gunfights that left nine police officers, including two station house officers, dead. The attackers also abducted several civilians and policemen after the attack. The military subsequently launched a series of counter-terrorism operations across Balochistan.

According to security sources, forces targeted terrorists through air and ground operations, with effective action inflicting heavy casualties on terrorist groups.

“Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps Balochistan and Police are continuing their joint Operation Shaban in Balochistan where security forces are conducting effective operations against Fitna al-Khawarij in the area,” a security source said.

Security sources said that since July 5, a total of 121 Kharjis had been killed in Operation Shaban and other Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs).

“Operation Shaban will continue in Balochistan until the last terrorist is eliminated,” security sources said.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi lauded the security forces for further successes during the ongoing Operation Shaban in Balochistan and said that the extraordinary successes of the joint operation of Pakistan Army, FC Balochistan and Police were commendable.

Naqvi said, “The nation viewed with appreciation the effective operations of the security forces against the terrorists in Fitna Al-Hindustan”.

“The security forces foiled the nefarious intentions of the terrorists Fitna Al-Hindustan. In the timely operations of the security forces, four more terrorists were sent to hell,” he added.

“Joint operations of the forces will continue till the elimination of the terrorists. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with its brave soldiers engaged in the fight against the scourge of terrorism,” Naqvi added.

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).

“On September 16, 2025, the BLA ambushed a Pakistani military convoy patrolling the corridor, killing 32 soldiers. While counterterrorism 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: Four more terrorists killed in operation Shabaan: 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.