QUETTA: Security forces have killed five more militants during the ongoing joint operation “Shaaban” in Balochistan, bringing the total number of suspected terrorists eliminated since July 5 to 114.
The operation, a coordinated effort between the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC), and Balochistan Police, is utilizing a combination of air and ground strikes to target the hideouts of the group identified as Fitna al-Khawarij.
According to security sources, the current offensive has successfully narrowed the operational space for the militants, with 76 terrorists killed specifically within the scope of Operation Shaaban.
Recoveries and Operational Scope
During the latest series of encounters, security forces recovered a cache of weapons and tactical equipment from the slain militants. The seized items include:
– M4 rifles
– Submachine guns (SMGs)
– Rocket launchers
– Mobile phones and communication equipment
Sources stated that the air and ground operations are being conducted continuously to dismantle the infrastructure of the militant network. Officials have indicated that Operation Shaaban will persist in the province until the last remaining terrorist is eliminated.
It may be recalled here that the current security crackdown was launched following a major attack in early July 2026 in the Ziarat district. Militants targeted the Mangi Dam police station, resulting in the martyrdom of nine police officers.
In the immediate aftermath of the Ziarat massacre, the government and security agencies mandated a comprehensive operation to destroy the network’s hideouts and eliminate the operatives responsible for the attack.
