Security personnel stand guard in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. — AFP/File
- IBOs conducted in Shaban, Kech and Quetta West: ISPR.
- Subedar Muhammad Jamil embraces martyrdom in line of duty.
- ISPR vows counter-terrorism campaign to continue at full pace.
RAWALPINDI: Security forces killed 19 terrorists belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna Al Khawarij and Fitna Al Hindustan in multiple engagements in Balochistan since September 21, the military’s media affairs wing said on Wednesday.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Intelligence agencies reported the presence of multiple hideouts of Indian-sponsored terrorists in the general area of Shaban, Quetta, posing a threat to the local population.
“In order to safeguard the local populace and clear the area of terrorists, security forces have been conducting a clearance operation in the general area of Shaban, District Quetta, since 21 September 2026,” said ISPR.
During the operation, the security forces effectively engaged and cleared multiple terrorist hideouts.
Following an intense exchange of fire, 13 Indian-sponsored terrorists have been killed so far, it added.
Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the cleared hideouts, while the clearance operation will continue until the threat in the area is completely neutralised.
In separate engagements, on September 22 and 23, the security forces conducted pre-emptive intelligence-based operations in District Kech and District Quetta West, read the statement.
During the operations, troops effectively engaged the terrorists and, following an intense exchange of fire, six terrorists were killed. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered.
During the exchange of fire, the military’s media wing said Subedar Muhammad Jamil, 39, a son of the soil, made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty and embraced martyrdom, said the ISPR.
The relentless counter-terrorism campaign under the vision of “Azm-e-Istehkam,” as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, will continue at full pace, vowed the military’s media wing.
Security forces and law enforcement agencies remain committed to eliminating the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country, the statement read.
Pakistan has experienced a sharp increase in terror attacks, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan particularly affected, following the Afghan Taliban’s return to power.
According to a report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), the two provinces remained the country’s main hotspots for violence during the second quarter of 2026, with KP emerging as the worst-affected region.
KP and Balochistan together accounted for nearly 96% of all violence-related fatalities recorded during the quarter, the report said. Of the total deaths, more than 61% (475) were reported in KP, while Balochistan accounted for 34% (265).
KP also recorded the highest number of violent incidents, with 151 cases, or 57% of the nationwide total. Balochistan followed with 94 incidents, accounting for 35%, underscoring the concentration of militant activity in the two provinces.
